BAY MINETTE, Ala. — While rough winds, rain and minor power outages occurred in North Baldwin County last night, central and northern Alabama saw severe storms, tornadoes and deaths. So a few area businesses and individuals will be taking up donations and offering services to help those areas.

 One individual spoke to the city of Bay Minette and will offer her time to take up donations for tornado victims.  Lisa Davison, along with husband, Johnny, and friend, Beth Lamey will organize a donation drop off at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot on West Second Street. She said they are taking bottled water, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, diapers and new clothes at the site noon-7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or the Davisons can be reached at (251) 295-0196.

During other business hours, items can be taken to the Posh Tot, or call Lamey at (251) 581-5891. She said volunteers are needed to man the donation site as well as container trucks to carry items.

Bay Minette city officials told Davison that they are not allowed to go help during the first 72 hours. But after that, they will find the locations needing the most help and grant the group permission to take the items.

In addition, Regions Bank locations are taking monetary donations in the Tornado Disaster Relief Fund.

Baldwin EMC will also aid north Alabama areas during this time, according to spokesperson Karen Moore.

“We’ve not had any issues or our own, so we are sending crews up north to help,” she said, explaining that those crews will respond to needs at the Cullman Electrical Cooperative.

Other North Baldwin agencies reported no severe damages and also plan to help other areas if called upon.

Among those already called upon are six Bay Minette Fire Department fire fighters led by BMFD Deputy Fire Chief Mike Minchew, who left today about 3:45 p.m. for Rainsville in Dekalb County. The group is taking search-and-rescue equipment, a shelter trailer and a shower trailer to aid affected areas, according to BMFD Chief Phil Bryars, who said in a telephone interview that he expects them to be deployed seven to 14 days.

North Baldwin Utilities is another agency waiting to be called upon.

“As far as water, natural gas and sewer water, our operations are normal,” said NBU General Manager Jason Padgett about North Baldwin's status after the storm. “Not so for our friends in northern Alabama. We’re on stand-by, if they need water crews or gas crews.”

Paula Tillman, public information coordinator for the Baldwin County Emergency Management Association, reiterated the area’s escape of severe damage from yesterday’s storm that tore through several states.

“So far we’ve had no reports other than a few minor (tree) limbs (down) in our area,” she said.

But as BCEMA has a mutual-aid agreement with the state Emergency Management Agency, the organization will compile a list of its resources if needed by the state, she said.

The 2-1-1 Call Center telephone line will also guide individuals to volunteer opportunities within the state, according to an Alabama Emergency Management Agency news release.

“The caring and compassionate spirit of Alabamians is truly awe-inspiring,” Gov. Robert Bentley said in the release. “I'm hearing from a tremendous number of Alabamians who want to volunteer and help others deal with this tragedy.”