(WGNO) – The University of Alabama remembers the devastation and destruction left behind after deadly tornadoes struck Tuscaloosa five years ago. They also remember those who came together. Now the school’s basketball and football teams are calling on Alabama residents to help with flood reliefs efforts in Louisiana.
“So many people came to the aid of the Tuscaloosa community following the tornado, we wanted to try and do something to give back to those who have lost so much in Louisiana. I’m very proud of our players and our organization for wanting to step up and help,” said head coach Nick Saban, who also coached at LSU from 2000-05.
Three drop-off locations have been set up for Alabama residents to help this weekend and early next week.
Supplies can be taken to the following locations:
- Tuscaloosa Government Plaza, Saturday (7-11 a.m.) at Scott Cochran’s “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah 5K.”
- Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Saturday evening
- Home Depot in Tuscaloosa, Aug. 21-23 (11 a.m. until 6 p.m.)
https://twitter.com/CrimsonTide_FB/status/766372915126366208
Yesterday, Alabama basketball coach Avery Johnson and his team loaded up a semi-truck full of supplies and sent it to Southern University.
“My heart goes out to all the residents of the Baton Rouge area that have been impacted by this devastating flood,” Johnson said. “I wanted to figure out an immediate way to help support the recovery efforts. In talking with Interim AD and men’s basketball coach Roman Banks, I decided I wanted to load up an 18-wheeler with as many supplies as we could possibly fit on it and get it to Baton Rouge from Tuscaloosa immediately.”
In a video posted to the Crimson Tide’s Instagram account, several football players from Louisiana told their stories of the flooding. Linebacker Tim Williams said, his mother had to move to higher ground and cornerback Shyheim Carter said his family home now has 4 feet of water in it.
“Football rivalries take a back seat to helping others,” said wide receiver Cam Sims.
The Red Cross says the flood is now the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy. The agency estimates clean up and relief efforts could cost at least $30 million.
