Volunteers have been aiding the recovery effort in the southern United States following the tornado outbreak that killed at least 339 people.

Volunteers are being urged to to go to www.servealabama.gov or call 2-1-1 statewide to offer their assistance by the state and officials working with the United Way.

According to reports, call centres are being inundated with up to 3,000 calls a day In Alabama where at least 250 were killed, following one of the worst tornado outbreak in US history.
It is anticipated that people could need months of help following the search and recovery efforts.

The Foreign Secretary has offered his condolences to those affected: “I am deeply saddened by the loss and suffering caused by the devastating tornadoes that have ravaged Alabama and the South of the United States in recent days. I offer my condolences to all those who have lost relatives or been injured or left homeless. My thoughts are also with all those that continue in the rescue efforts.

He added: “The United Kingdom enjoys an immensely close relationship with the United States. There are extensive personal links between the people of Britain and the United States. I know I join very many in offering my thoughts and prayers for all those affected.”

The death toll, which continues to rise, was yesterday at 250 in Alabama, 34 in Tennessee, 34 in Mississippi, 15 in Georgia, five in Virginia and one in Arkansas.

In 1925 747 people were killed in storms that hit Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.