Tornado Disaster Resources

Tornado Distaster Resources

Below is a partial list of organizations and resources to help provide tornado relief, including American Red Cross, Western Kentucky Tornado Relief and others

The National Weather Service confirmed that at least four states were hit by more than 30 tornadoes on Friday night and into early Saturday morning, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Saturday morning due to major tornado damage in Mayfield and Bowling Green, activating the Kentucky Guard and State Police. Governor Beshear believes the death toll will exceed 50 and could result in numbers close to 100.

Here are some resources for those who need help and those who want to help...

Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund

Visit https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief

Western Kentucky Chapter | Kentucky Region | American Red Cross

South Central Kentucky Chapter | Kentucky Region | American Red Cross

American Red Cross

Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999.

Need Assistance?

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

DUA Fact Sheet (doleta.gov)

Aspire Appalachia

Send donations to paypal@aspireappalachia.org or PO Box 1255, Jackson, KY 41339.

CARE

The nonprofit based in Atlanta is partnering with Louisville's Change Today, Change Tomorrow to distribute food, water and cash vouchers to affected families. Donate to the tornado relief fund here.

Global Empowerment Mission

The disaster relief nonprofit based in Miami is sending trucks of supplies to western Kentucky, in partnership with Racing Louisville and Louisville City Football Club. Donate funds at globalempowermentmission.org/mission/kentucky-tornadoes/ 

Global Giving

The D.C.-based nonprofit has established a Midwest US Tornado Relief Fund at globalgiving.org/projects/midwest-tornado-relief-fund/.

Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine has established a GoFundMe page collecting donations at gofundme.com/f/ukcom-student-effort-for-tornado-relief-in-ky.

Kentucky Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters

Visit kentuckyvoad.org/.

Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief

Mayfield-Graves County United Way has set up a GoFundMe to collect donations at gofundme.com/f/mayfield-graves-county-tornado-relief. Find other verified fundraisers at gofundme.com/c/act/tornado-outbreak-fundraisers.

Marshall County Fund

The Marshall County Nonprofit Foundation has established a Venmo account to take funds at @MCNPF.

Mercy Chefs

The nonprofit that serves meals following natural disasters has set up at His House Ministries, 1250 KY-303, Mayfield, Kentucky, and will distribute food over the next few days. Donate funds at https://mercychefs.com/donation.

Relevant Church

The church in6487915001 Mayfield, Kentucky, is taking donations for a tornado relief fund at wearerelevant.churchcenter.com/giving/to/mayfield-tornado-relief.

Rise and Shine

The mutual aid group in Bowling Green is taking donations through Venmo at @riseandshinebgky.

Salvation Army

Visit helpsalvationarmy.org and donate to the Salvation Army Western KY Disaster Relief Fundraiser on Facebook.

United Way of Kentucky

The agency has set up a donation site specifically for tornado victims. Visit uwky.org/tornado.

Western KY Tornado Victims

Bremen resident Courtney Cozee has established a GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/western-ky-tornado-vitamins.

Western Kentucky Red Cross Disaster Relief Fundraiser

Find the online fundraiser on Facebook.

 

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) has compiled a list of tornado recovery resources for our 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver participants and providers. The listing also includes ways for individuals to help tornado survivors. 

Storm Recovery Resources for 1915(c) HCBS Waiver Participants and Providers

This is not an exhaustive list of resources available. If you are aware of a resource that could help 1915(c) HCBS participants and providers, please email us at MedicaidPublicComment@ky.gov.

If you were affected by the tornadoes and need assistance, please fill out the appropriate form below. 

Storm Assistance Form - Waiver Providers

Storm Assistance Form - Waiver Participants

We recognize many providers and participants may not be able to access or complete an electronic form at this time. If you need assistance to complete these forms, call the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614, options 7 and a DMS staff member will record your responses for you.  If you have not been affected by the storm, but know a waiver provider or participant who has, please let them know about this form.

If you have an urgent waiver-related need due to the storm, you can also contact the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614, option 7 or 1915cWaiverHelpDesk@ky.gov

 

Additional information to assist all those affected by this past weekend's tornadoes

Find additional resources and information, below...

  • Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah has a shelter and tons of food and water at the ready:" 270-554-1441

From Anthem Employee Assistance team:

Currently Open Shelters as of 12/13:

First United Methodist Church (Warming Center)
100 Church Street
Hickman, KY 42050

The Way Center
449 Lebanon Street
Wingo, KY 42088

Bardwell Baptist Church
323 Highway 51
Bardwell, KY 42023

Fancy Farm Knights of Columbus Hall
20 Kentucky Route 339
Fancy Farm, KY 42039

Lone Oak Baptist Church
3601 Lone Oak Road
Paducah, KY 42003

SOKY Fairgrounds
940 Morgantown Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Jennings Creek Elementary School
2617 Russellville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Below are online resources that may be able to assist you in locating and receiving aid in the wake of the tornado in Kentucky. To access the websites, please click on the links. You may wish to contact these providers for additional information.

Tornado Preparedness and Recovery

https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/index.html

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado

https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/in-a-disaster

https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/tornado-resources

 

Poweroutage.us

https://poweroutage.us/area/state/kentucky

 

Road Closures and Evacuations

For information about road closures, you may dial 511 or obtain information online at https://transportation.ky.gov/sites/GoKY/home.

 

Local Red Cross Locator

https://www.redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter.html

 

Red Cross Smartphone Apps

Apps will update people on the current emergency and provide information on safety during a disaster.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

 

United Way of the Bluegrass 2-1-1

https://www.uwbg211.org

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember phone number that connects callers to information and services in times of need. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during disasters. Please call if you are seeking resources such as clothing, food, or programs for your family.

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

500 C Street Southwest

Washington, DC 20472

800-621-FEMA

https://www.fema.gov

If a disaster is declared in your area, please call to apply for assistance or visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov.

 

FEMA Text Message Program

• To locate an open emergency shelter, text SHELTER and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).

• To locate an open Disaster Recovery Center, text DRC and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).

Please note that standard message and data rates apply.

 

Kentucky Emergency Management

https://kyem.ky.gov

https://twitter.com/KentuckyEM

https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyEM

 

Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP)

https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/fssb/Pages/ktap.aspx

 

Local Salvation Army Locator

https://www.salvationarmyusa.org

 

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

Nationwide hotline: 800-985-5990

Text "TalkWithUs" to 66746

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

 

VRBO

VRBO may offer reduced rates for housing in times of disaster.

https://www.vrbo.com

 

From Gov. Beshear:

 

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 

Crystal Staley

502-545-3714

Crystal.Staley@ky.gov

Scottie Ellis

502-330-1722

Scottie.Ellis@ky.gov

 

Gov. Beshear Provides Update on Storm Response

Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund is live at TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2021) – Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on his administration’s response to the Dec. 11 quad-state tornado outbreak.

To watch the Governor’s remarks, click here. The Governor provided key updates:

  • This was the worst tornado event in state history;
  • At least four tornados touched down in Kentucky; one was on the ground for more than 200 miles in this state alone;
  • We believe a 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed;
  • In eight counties, lives were lost;
  • In eighteen counties, there was significant damage;
  • There are 74 confirmed deaths at this point: 20 in Graves County, 13 in Hopkins County, 11 in Muhlenberg County; 12 in Warren County; four in Caldwell County; one each in Marshall, Taylor, Fulton and Lyon counties; Newly reported deaths: one in Graves County; four in Hopkins County; three in Warren County; one in Franklin County.
  • There are 18 people who died in the storm who are still unidentified;
  • Ages of those lost range from 5 months to 86 years;
  • At least six of those lost were younger than 18;
  • 109 people remain unaccounted for;
  • Mayfield Consumer Products owner says eight employees were killed and eight are still missing. The Governor is hoping for a miracle and is working to confirm this report;
  • Final death and destruction numbers may take a week or more;
  • Yesterday, President Joe Biden declared that a major disaster exists in Kentucky and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected;
  • The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren counties;
  • Starting today, residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians); The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice;
  • At least 300 National Guard members have been deployed to help;
  • Hundreds of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Energy and Environment Cabinet Division of Forestry staff members are clearing debris;
  • Homeowners or property owners with damage should take photos, make a list of damaged property and document everything they possibly can.
  • The Graves County Senior Center and Western Kentucky Allied Services Building – the Community Action Building – have been damaged so extensively that there is no way to prepare meals. The Department for Aging and Independent Living sounded the call for assistance among community aging partners. Within 20 minutes, over 2,300 shelf-stable meals had been committed. These meals will be transported from senior centers in Breckenridge, Nelson and Fayette counties to 300 homebound seniors in Graves County by way of Community Action staff. Further work is underway to secure additional meals.
  • For outside donations (material items like food, supplies, etc.) please call Graves County Emergency Management at 270-727-5114. For volunteer sign up, Graves County Emergency Management has established a website.
  • The Paducah Police Department has volunteered to accept outside donations such as food and supplies. Call them at 270-444-8590 or visit 1400 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42003.
  • Kentucky State Parks are providing emergency shelters to distressed people affected by the tornado. Currently, Kentucky State Parks are providing lodging for the American Red Cross, utility crews, first responders and displaced families.
  • The commonwealth has designated the following parks as part of the state’s emergency response efforts: Kentucky Dam Village (30 rooms available); Kenlake State Resort Park (58 rooms available, park has hook-up outlets that could be used for three washers and three dryers and will accept donations); Lake Barkley State Resort Park (awaiting electricity to be restored, an additional 56 rooms will available); Barren River Lake State Resort Park (30 rooms available); John James Audubon State Park (one cottage available); Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park (no rooms are available; all 37 rooms occupied); Rough River Dam State Resort Park (47 rooms available).
  • Families who are in need of emergency housing should contact their local emergency management office to request lodging. If a family in need arrives at a Kentucky State Park without having contacted their local emergency management office, park staff and volunteers should assist them in doing so when they arrive.
  • Kentuckians who reside in Lyon, Fulton, Graves, Muhlenberg, Marshall, Hopkins and Caldwell counties will receive priority placement.
  • Volunteers are needed at Kenlake, Kentucky Dam Village, Rough River Dam, and Lake Barkley State Parks. Volunteers will need to provide their own accommodations. Some parks can provide a camping space for self-contained camping. People willing to volunteer should email Andy Kasitz at andy.kasitz@ky.gov.
  • The Governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Tuesday through next Monday evening in honor of those lost and impacted;
  • The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund will provide $5,000 to each victim’s family for funeral expenses. There is no need to apply the state will be working to contact families;
  • As of Monday morning, the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has received:
  • Both Department for Community Based Services locations in Mayfield/Graves County suffered damage and cannot serve the public at this time. A mobile unit has been requested. Until the mobile unit is ready, those who need help may call 855-306-8959, or they may apply for help online on the kynect site. The URL is kynect.ky.gov. Starting today, a special queue is in place for people needing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP;
  • Walgreens in Mayfield has been the only pharmacy that’s been open and starting today, Walmart Pharmacy plans to open for prescription fulfillment;
  • Any family members of missing loved ones should report to the office building of His House Ministries to provide a reference standard to law enforcement for identification purposes. His House Ministries is located at 1250 KY-303 in Mayfield. Anyone who needs assistance in getting to His House Ministries can call 859-267-7775.
  • The Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratory is using Rapid DNA technology to assist in the identification of victims in Friday night’s storms;
  • Rapid DNA has been used throughout the country for this purpose and can provide results in less than two hours. This allows family members to be reunited with the remains of their loved ones as quickly as possible.
  • The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is requesting ALL Mayfield Consumer Products (MCP) candle factory employees go to His House Ministries Church at 1250 KY-303 in Mayfield. KSP is in the process of verifying information provided by executives from MCP candle factory to ensure that all potential victims are accounted for. Call 888-880-8620 (MCP employee support line) if transportation is unavailable.
  • KSP is also working in conjunction with Chief Medical Examiner Bill Ralston to assist with victim identification
  • Many of Kentucky’s major agriculture operations reside in Western Kentucky and were impacted by the historic tornadoes that devastated the area. To help identify the needs of our farmers and provide a swift response, the Governor has created an Agriculture Working Group.
  • More than 440 Kentucky National Guard members are supporting storm relief.
  • Ninety-five fatality search and recovery soldiers are working in Mayfield.
  • Fifty-five Guardsmen are providing Logistics Support to the State Logistics Support Area located at Wendell Ford Regional Training Center (Greenville) in order to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s equipment push to the affected area.
  • Three National Guard Chaplains are providing spiritual guidance to soldiers and civilians in the affected communities. 
  •  

First Lady, Britainy Beshear, announces Western Kentucky Christmas Toy Drive for impacted families

  • From Dec. 13, until Saturday, Dec. 18, Kentuckians can drop off new, unwrapped toys, games, books or technology in original packaging to 20 locations across the state. Thirteen of those locations are (KSP) posts and the largest drop-off location is Broadbent Arena in Louisville. People can also mail gifts to Broadbent Arena.

To see a list of all drop-off locations and addresses, visit FirstLady.ky.gov/ToyDrive

  • Individuals can also donate $25 Visa/Mastercard gift cards. The First Lady said these gift cards are a great option so parents and guardians have flexibility to buy their kids exactly what they most want or need for the holidays, and so they can support local businesses impacted by the storms. Buying $25 cards will help state officials distribute donations equally among families, but the First Lady encouraged donors to contribute multiple $25 gift cards if they are able.
  • If Kentuckians have already started a toy drive at their school, at their business or in their neighborhood, the First Lady asked them to bring those toys to one of the 20 central locations listed at FirstLady.ky.gov/ToyDrive so state officials can transport them to Western Kentucky.
  • The First Lady asked Kentuckians not to wrap gifts. Instead, she encouraged people to donate gift-wrapping supplies.
  • The First Lady said clothing donations are not being accepted as part of this particular drive.