WANT TO HELP JOPLIN TORNADO SURVIVORS? HERE ARE SOMEWAYS…
KANSAS CITY, Mo— To help manage the generous outpouring of support for Joplin, Missouri, tornadosurvivors, disaster recovery experts have established some simple ways to help, whether volunteering ormaking donations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with its partners at the Missouri VoluntaryOrganizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) offer specific advice to those who are impacted or just want tohelp.
Sheltering
Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2-1-1, or 800-427-4626, or go to www.redcross.org for a list of open shelters. For individuals with a hearing loss, call 7-1-1 or use Video Relay Service (VRS) to reach 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626.
Volunteer or Donate
The easiest way to help is to call 2-1-1 in most areas in Missouri to volunteer time or make a donation. Cashis the best because it offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources andpumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover as well. This 2-1-1 service, operated by theUnited Way, is available through much of Missouri. For those who are out of state or unable to get throughon 2-1-1, call 1-800-427-4626. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering can go online at https://www.showmeresponse.org/.
Remember, unsolicited donated goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed orperishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services tosort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors.
Locate a loved one
Residents affected by the tornado wanting to notify friends and family that they are safe, should go online to https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms//. To check on a loved one, go online to the same site. It’s easy,free and only basic information is needed. If you are not able to go online, call 417-659-5464 to register orfind someone who has registered.
File an insurance claim
Call your agent to get this process started.
Register for federal disaster aid
Tornado survivors in Newton and Jasper counties can now apply for federal disaster assistance. The process isfree, takes about 20 minutes. Registrations can be made three ways:
- Call toll-free to register at 1-800-621-3362; for those who are speech impaired or have ahearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Or, call 7-1-1 or use a Video Relay Service(VRS) to reach FEMA, or
- Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or
- Apply on Smartphones at m.fema.gov.
This assistance for individuals – both homeowners and renters - can help with minimal home repairs,temporary rental assistance and other serious, disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or otherprograms.
Survivors should know that registering for other forms of disaster aid do not automatically register you forFEMA. A separate registration with FEMA is required to start the process.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work togetherto build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, andmitigate all hazards.