Please see below for resources listed alphabetically by state for those needing assistance due to the tornadoes that swept through the South and Midwest on March 2, 2012.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is providing relief across multiple states after dozens of tornadoes swept through the South and Midwest on March 2nd, 2012. Red Cross shelters are open in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio and emergency vehicles are now distributing meals in affected communities. Emotional support is also an important part of the relief effort. Red Cross mental health workers will be helping people cope as they begin to clean up the devastation and begin their recovery.
http://www.redcross.org/
@RedCross
Official twitter account for the American Red Cross. Follow them for disaster and preparedness updates.
Find a Red Cross Shelter
The Red Cross “Find Shelter” tool pulls information from the National Shelter System and allows people to view a Google map of open Red Cross shelter locations and search for shelters closest to their location. Shelters that are currently open will be displayed on the map or in the search results. The National Shelter System is owned and operated by the Red Cross and used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state and local governments, and other community agencies to track and report shelter information.
Safety Tips
Residents beginning clean-up work should exercise great caution when entering damaged buildings. Never re-enter until the structure has been inspected and deemed safe by a qualified person. Be sure electric and gas have been shut off or disconnected.
These and other safety tips on returning to your damaged home can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/return.shtm
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
National VOAD is a leader and voice for the nonprofit organizations and volunteers that work in all phases of disaster—preparedness, response, relief, recovery, and mitigation. National VOAD is the primary point of contact for voluntary organization in the National Response Coordination Center (at FEMA headquarters) and is a signatory to the National Response Plan.
http://www.nvoad.org/
Illinois Assistance
Ready Illinois
Resources for emergencies and disasters in the state of Illinois.
http://www.ready.illinois.gov/
State of Illinois
For current information about disaster relief efforts and progress, please visit the website.
http://www2.illinois.gov/
Indiana Assistance
Counseling Hotline
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration created a toll-free hotline to provide mental health services for people affected by the southern Indiana storms.
The phone number is (866) 679-4631.
Goodwill of Southern Indiana
Vouchers are being issued by the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Storm victims with vouchers may stop at any Southern Indiana Goodwill store and obtain free whatever items they need, such as clothing, household supplies, furniture and toys. The public may donate gently used items at any of the 11 area Southern Indiana Goodwill stores for tornado relief. Businesses and groups that want to conduct a donation drive can call Goodwill of Southern Indiana at (812) 283-7908 to have donation boxes delivered.
Southern Indiana Tornado Information and Tips
Resources specific to the response for the tornadoes in Southeastern Indiana, primarily Clark, Jefferson, Washington, Ripley and Scott counties. For additional or more updated information, Hoosiers may dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-566-4968 (closest to Louisville or Cincinnati) or 317-926-4357 (closer to Indpls).
http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/wdrb/news/indianatornadoupdate.pdf
Kentucky Assistance
State of Kentucky
Safety messages and news from the Governor of KY and Emergency Officials.
http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/governor/20120304stormupdate3.htm
Kentucky Emergency Management
News, information, and resources on emergencies in Kentucky.
http://kyem.ky.gov/
How to help Kentucky and Indiana storm victims
Information and resources on where to find help and how to help out those affected by the storms.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/17077774/help-for-kentucky-and-indiana-storm-victims
General Disaster Resources
2-1-1
Call 2-1-1 to be connected with community services in your area, providing services like food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance and physical and mental health resources.
http://www.211.org/
American Institute for Conservation Emergency Response Team (AIC-CERT)
The mission of AIC-CERT is to respond to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors and the public. AIC, the national association of conservation professionals is offering free emergency response assistance to cultural organizations.
Call AIC’s 24-hour assistance number at 202.661.8068 for advice by phone.
Call 202.661.8068 to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization.
http://www.conservation-us.org/cert
American Red Cross
American Red Cross is an emergency response organization.
Contact: For the appropriate contact information of the department you are seeking visit: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=7c7859f392ce8110VgnVCM10000030f3870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Website: http://www.redcross.org/
To find information on your local American Red Cross, enter your zip code in the field at this url: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.b5a0414b8a13bb88110dab5fc23f78a0/?vgnextoid=6d65e821cbdf9110VgnVCM1000002bf3870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
American Red Cross Safe and Well List
The American Red Cross has provided a way for those affected by a disaster to register as safe and well, and for concerned family and friends to search for the status of their loved ones.
https://disastersafe.redcross.org/
Prepare.org: After a Disaster
The American Red Cross's website on preparedness is intended to help seniors, children and people with disabilities in particular prepare for natural disasters and emergencies. This page has instructions on how to perform many tasks involved in recovery from disaster.
http://www.prepare.org/
ArtsReady
A web-based tool designed to help arts organizations be more resilient following a minor disruption to business or a major crisis. It is an initiative by South Arts (http://www.southarts.org) who also manages a blog on the ArtsReady site, which is used to deliver status reports, requests for information, and help on behalf of organizations that may be affected.http://www.artsready.org/
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities' relief and recovery services are provided on a regional level, and respond to the need for emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support. Other Catholic Charities services include financial, medical and utilities assistance, clothing, housing, health care, and child care. This site provides links to local branches, each of which provides direct assistance.
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=292&srcid=193
CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund + Artists' Emergency Resources)
CERF+ emergency relief assistance, provides small grants, no-interest loans, access to resources, waivers and discounts on booth fees, and donations of craft supplies and equipment, to professional craft artists who have experienced a recent, career-threatening emergency.
For more information about CERF+’s emergency relief assistance for professional craft artists, please contact:
relief@craftemergency.org
http://craftemergency.org/programs/relief/
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Information on disaster unemployment assistance, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/unemployment/g/disasterunemployment.htm
Disaster Recovery and Assistance
The LSU AgCenter has an array of information about recovering from the multiple problems caused by a hurricanes, floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events. Dangers include disease from insects and other pests, and illness from contaminated flood waters.
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/hazards_and_threats/recovery_assistance/
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Mailing Address:
500 C Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472
Telephone: 202-646-2500
Website: http://www.fema.gov/
FEMA: The Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program
The Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides money and services to people in a disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed. This guide explains the types of assistance available, eligibility information, and how to apply.
http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/guide.shtm
FEMA Emergency Response Action Steps
This guide from FEMA helps safeguard collections damaged by water, whether from flood, fire, earthquakes, severe storms or broken pipes. The first 48 hours after an emergency are the most critical, and this site explains the proper salvage techniques and steps to use in this time period.
http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/ers_wl.shtm
Lutheran Services in America (LSA)
LSA's emergency and disaster services include clothing, emergency housing, financial assistance, food programs, legal aid, telephone crisis support and referrals, and support services. This site can be searched for services regionally or by type of assistance needed.
http://applications.lutheranservices.org/lsapublic/SearchResults_Service.aspx?Type=ServiceGroup&GRP=Y
National Park Service: Conserve O Grams
The National Park Service's Museum Management Program publishes this series of short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects. Included are extensive instructions for salvaging a variety of objects from water damage, fire, exposure and other hazards, and creating an emergency operation plan.
http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/cons_toc.html
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. Increasingly the Army’s policy and its indigenous membership allow it to cooperate with international relief agencies and governments alike.
Telephone: 800-SAL-ARMY
Contact: For the appropriate contact form visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/4CB5A61C1A28AFCA80256FA40067F221?openDocument
Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Among the many services provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society are emergency financial assistance, emergency transportation and disaster relief and victim services. This website allows users to search for local councils offering assistance.
http://svdpusa.org/AbouttheSociety/FindACouncil/tabid/70/Default.aspx
Studio Protector
The Studio Protector is an information toolkit to help artists be disaster ready and disaster resilient. It is a self-help resource, geared for artists at all career levels--from students to emerging and established professionals. Working artists have been involved in every step of the design and testing of this toolkit. While there are many other resources for emergency preparedness, the Studio Protector focuses on information that is relevant to artists and the realities of the studio environment.
http://www.studioprotector.org
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Disasters & Emergencies
HHS has a page of links to information and resources for all types of disasters and emergencies. Click on 'Disaster Relief' to find organizations offering aid in times of emergency.
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/index.shtml
United Way
The United Way provides assistance in every step of recovery from disaster.
http://www.unitedway.org
Donation Tips
Donation tips from the Louisville Courier-Journal's website on March 5th, 2012.
The Better Business Bureau recommends:
- Cash helps more than clothing or food.
- When possible, donate directly online through a charity’s website. Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will go toward relief. There are always expenses involved when charities raise funds.
- Check the charity’s website for information about what assistance is taking place at the disaster site.
- Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Be wary of those that are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.