With hundreds of thousands without power, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative sent two line crews to assist its sister cooperative Sand Mountain Electric Co-Op in Rainsville, where tornadoes killed more than 30 people.

Eight Southern Pine linemen were initially dispatched to assist in the restoration effort at Sand Mountain Electric. They include Jeff Kelley, Phillip Norsworthy, Kirk Carter and John Paul of the Brewton headquarters, Southern Pine spokeswoman Melanie Harrison said.

Joan Hackman of West Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross said those residents in Atmore and surrounding areas wanting to lend a hand to their neighbors may make monetary donations. Checks can be made out to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and dropped off at the Red Cross office in Atmore.

Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency, and President Barack Obama promised federal assistance. Obama was scheduled to visit the damaged areas on Friday.

The Flomaton Fire Department will be a drop-off location for a variety of supplies to be transported to tornado victims in Tuscaloosa. Personnel will be at the department on U.S. 31 South Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Trucks loaded with supplies will leave the station at noon and travel to Tuscaloosa for distribution.

Items suggested for donations include water, Gatorade, wipes, batteries and battery powered items (flashlights, radios, etc.), non-perishable food items such as crackers, cookies, etc.