Red Cross aid workers have begun meeting individually with Mississippi families affected by recent storms that included a Christmas Day twister outside Monticello.

     “The majority of the needs in Mississippi have been met through sheltering, feeding and distribution of supplies for comfort and cleanup,” said Sandra Hodge, Red Cross Mississippi Region CEO in a press release. “Through client casework services, Red Cross will determine needs on an individual basis.”

     Following Tuesday’s Lawrence County tornado, the Red Cross was housing as many as nine families at a nearby motel. Officials were unable to provide comment as to how many families currently remain housed by the Red Cross.

     Beyond the sheltering services already provided, Red Cross health services and mental health workers will now begin meeting with families with health or emotional needs stemming from last week’s disasters.

     The Red Cross will also work with partners and agencies in local communities to help with any remaining emergency needs.

     “Our extensive relief efforts include providing food, shelter, relief supplies and comfort for people,” said Gordon Stewart, disaster operations manager.

     Area residents with such emergency needed are invited to call their local Red Cross office. The Brookhaven office is located nearest Monticello and can be reached at 601-833-2771.

     Thus far, Red Cross teams have responded in Amite, Clarke, Forrest, Jones, Hinds, Lawrence, Madison, Pearl River, Perry, Stone, Warren and Wilkinson counties.

     In Lawrence County, eleven homes were destroyed, four suffered major damage and 18 received minor damage according to the latest damage assessments available from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

     MEMA also reported seven injuries in Lawrence County.

     Following last week’s storms, Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency for areas impacted by the Christmas Day storms.