Cherokee EMS is heading up a local relief effort for the tornado victims of Moore, Oklahoma.

A devastating tornado stretching more than a mile across, touched down Monday in that area and left an incredible path of destruction – leveling homes, businesses and two elementary schools, in addition to claiming dozens of lives.

According to the National Weather Service, that tornado was on the ground for approximately 40 minutes – leaving a debris field some 20 miles long.

Northeast Alabama is certainly no stranger to severe weather – and residents of Cherokee County are familiar with the recovery process – which in itself is a massive undertaking.

Now is the opportunity for those locally to help re-pay some of the kindness shown to our area in the wake of the April 27th, 2011 storms which caused such tremendous damage and also affected so many lives.

Following those storms, the community banded together and everyone made sure their neighbors were taken care of – and that’s what the people of Moore, Oklahoma need now.

Cherokee EMS is asking for donations of baby items, such as diapers and formula; bottled water; non-perishable food items, flashlights, batteries, band-aids and other staples.

You can drop your donations off at the EMS Building – 1913 West Main Street in Centre, behind the Spring Garden restaurant.

Cherokee EMS will have someone on site 24 hours a day seven days a week, to accept donations.

[Photos/Sue Ogrocki/AP]