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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.
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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.
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