How to get help from FEMA. Where to find shelter. Resources for Kentucky tornado victims.
Countless Kentuckians were affected by a string of deadly tornadoes over the weekend, leaving many without homes or even a foundation to lean on.
Many people and organizations from all over the state and country have stepped up to help those impacted.
Here are some of the ways those affected by the tornadoes can access the help being offered by the government, community organizations and others.
Where can I get FEMA help?
President Joe Biden declared the tornado storm that struck Kentucky a major disaster, which unlocks all kinds of funds and programs to those who need it.
Residents of Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren Counties can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app.
When you apply, you will need to provide:
A current phone number where you can be contacted.
Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
Your Social Security Number.
A general list of damage and losses.
Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
Victims must submit a claim to their insurance companies before requesting federal aid. Once the claim has been filed, you will provide that information to FEMA to determine eligibility for federal assistance.
FEMA has also set up two registration centers where people can apply for assistance in person. They’re located at the following locations.
- First Baptist Church, 960 Industrial Park Rd., Dawson Springs, KY 42408
- The old Walmart location, Mayfield Plaza, 1102 Paris Rd., Mayfield, KY 42066
The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Where can I stay in the meantime?
There are a number of shelters open across the state for people who were displaced by the tornadoes.
According to FEMA, the following locations are open for tornado victims.
Bardwell Baptist Church in Bardwell
Jennings Creek Elementary School in Bowling Green
SOKY Fairgrounds in Bowling Green
Pennyrile State Park in Dawson Springs
Fancy Farms Knights of Columbus Hall in Fancy Farm
First United Methodist Church in Hickman
Lone Oak Baptist Church in Paducah
Wingo Old Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Wingo.
Here’s a list of shelters open according to the American Red Cross.
Gov. Andy Beshear also said Kentucky’s State Parks that have lodging available are open to victims.
As of Tuesday morning, 30 rooms at Kentucky Dam Village, 56 rooms at Lake Barkley, 30 rooms and cottages at Barren River, 2 cottages at John James Autobahn, and 40 rooms and 40 cottages at Rough River State Resort are available. Cots are also ready to use at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, if needed.
“Nobody turned away,” Beshear said. “Everybody helped. If you don’t have a house anymore, you are welcomed in your state parks. We will take care of you.”
Displaced residents can call their local Emergency Management or the state park.
How to receive medical help
KentuckyCare will have clinics open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday in Mayfield and Murray to provide medication and medical assistance. It will also be deploying a mobile clinic in Mayfield.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Disaster Distress Helpline for victims to talk to trained crisis responders, by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.
The Center for Women and Families, in partnership with Metro United Way, is hosting a hotline for those needing services. Anyone that needs help can call 211 to be connected with available resources.
KSP offering resources to Graves County residents
Kentucky State Police will open up points of distribution for individuals needing basic supplies in Graves County.
The following are locations where people can pickup items such as food, water, hygiene products and clothes.
- High Point Baptist Church located at 220 West Farthing Street.
- Mayfield High School located at 700 Douthitt Street.
- Graves County Fairgrounds located at 1001 Housman Street.
The locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
KSP is also offering meals at the following locations.
- Fancy Farm Elementary School located at 270 State Route 339 South
- Sedalia Elementary School located at 5252 State Route 97
- Symsonia Elementary School located at 11730 State Route 131
- Wingo Elementary School located at 449 Lebanon Street
Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
How to replace items
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to set up temporary stations to get replacement licenses. State IDs will be available in Mayfield and Dawson Springs. The locations will be announced later.
• Folksinger Michael Johnathon created a Tornado Relief program to replace damaged or lost musical instruments for free. Victims can send an email to radio@woodsongs.com and add “TORNADO” to the subject and include the instrument, address, name and contact information.
How do I clean up damage?
FEMA says people should stay out of areas with damage if possible or only enter areas where local officials have said it is safe to do so.
If you do clean up damage at your home, shut off all utilities to avoid possible injury. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes, and do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself.
Do not touch downed power lines.
What if I find mold in my home?
If you come across mold or mildew while cleaning up debris, FEMA advises people to wear an appropriate mask. People with respiratory problems or children should stay away from moldy sites.
More information about how to deal with mold can be found here.
How to rebuild
• Lowe’s donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and Lowe’s nonprofit Pro customers. This week, the company will deploy its Lowe’s Tool Rental Disaster Response Trailer to the Mayfield store to provide affordable rental options for equipment, like generators and chainsaws. More than 100 associates from Lowe’s emergency response teams will also go to Kentucky stores to help with recovery efforts. The home improvement company shower and laundry trailers to stores to help associates without power or water, along with fueling stations and meals.
• U-Haul is offering free self-storage for storm victims for 30 days at five locations: Dixie Highway in Elsmere, E. New Circle Road and Merchant Street in Lexington, Irvin Cobb Drive in Paducah and W. Lincoln Trail Boulevard in Radcliff.
Bowling Green information
Authorities in Bowling Green set up a site for people to report damage and debris and get information on road safety, shelters, donations and other issues. It is wearebgstrong.com.
Avoiding scams
There are many ways to offer help to those impacted by the tornadoes, but some options might not be legitimate.
Among the many avenues of assistance are people setting up scams in the costume of relief help. To combat that, Attorney General Daniel Cameron issued a consumer alert on Tuesday, warning citizens of possible scams related to tornado relief efforts.
“Kentuckians in many of our Western and Central counties have already suffered devastating losses, and we are going to do everything in our power to ensure they do not encounter further losses as a result of scams,” said Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a press release. “Bad actors should be put on notice that we will not tolerate scams and fraud in our communities. Potential scams should be reported immediately to our office by visiting ag.ky.gov/scams.”
Cameron also gave out a few tips to avoid scams.
- Remember that legitimate relief organizations will never ask for your banking information.
- Give responsibly to known, reputable sources or recognized disaster relief organizations. The Commonwealth has established the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, which can be accessed by visiting TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov. Affected communities have also established funds, and you can check with local officials about the best way to donate.
- Follow FEMA’s best practices for volunteering and donating following a disaster. To view these and other tips visit the agency’s website.
Property owners with damaged homes should also be on the lookout for scammers, as some will go door-to-door to solicit fake business. Some tips to avoid those scammers are working directly through your insurance company, using bbb.org when searching for contractors and resisting high-pressure offers, such as on the spot special pricing.
Ronnie Ward, public information officer with the Bowling Green Police Department, said if you see a GoFundMe that looks questionable, you can report it on the GoFundMe website and they will investigate.
“We hope that you are very skeptical and careful about where you give your money,” Ward said.
A list of safe and honest places to donate can be found here.
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
