Tornadoes 2011: How to Help Storm Victims

April 28, 2011— -- Deadly tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through the South Wednesday, devastating dozens of cities and killing more than 290 people across five states.

The majority of the deaths have been reported in Alabama with 195 people killed, including 15 in the city of Tuscaloosa alone, where 200-mph winds swept homes off their foundations.

President Obama declared a state of emergency for the search-and-rescue response in Alabama late Wednesday and said federal officials had their eye on the storms and would offer help as needed.

Find out below how to help and donate to the April 2011 tornado relief effort.

Donate to Tornado Relief Effort

To make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page.

You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

To donate to the Salvation Army's tornado disaster response, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org, click on their donation page and designate "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak."

You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and donors can text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be made out to the Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, Ga., 30384-0339.

To make a donation to Feeding America, visit its online donation page.

Alabama