By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana Thursday morning and a local food bank is preparing to help victims of the storm.

Family food boxes are already being prepared at Midwest Food Bank locations in Normal, Morton, and Peoria.

“A storm this size is really going to cause a lot of widespread damage that may need extensive relief,” said Tara Ingham, executive director of MFB Bloomington-Normal. “So we are gearing up our efforts now to pack more family food boxes that can go out with our partnership with The Salvation Army, and right now we are on standby with them to know exactly how many loads they may need.”

Hurricane Laura made landfall near Cameron, LA, with winds of 150 mph. High water levels from storm surge continues in coastal areas and there is a risk of flooding and tornadoes inland.

Ingham said this disaster comes on the heels of COVID-19, as MFB has sent 80 truckloads of relief during the pandemic.

Volunteers will be needed to help fill family food boxes and financial donations are also being accepted. More information is available here.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]