Situation
Severe storms and numerous tornadoes January 29-30 affected numerous states ranging from Texas to Pennsylvania and from Kansas to Florida.
Power outages, estimated at 120,000 in the affected areas, numerous road blockages and building damage from fallen trees occurred in numerous states. Localized flooding has also been reported in several states.
More than 20 tornadoes were confirmed in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Georgia. There were two fatalities: one in Bartow County, Ga., and one in Davidson County, Tenn. Twenty-five injuries have been reported.
CWS Response
While this event covered a large area, the impacts are very localized and most of the response will be led by the communities affected. CWS communions and partners – and many other volunteer organizations – will provide response assistance.
CWS Disaster Response Specialists are working with state, regional and local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, our member denominations and other agencies to determine where help will be needed.
CWS will provide material resources, including CWS Blankets, Hygiene Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets, School Kits and Baby Care Kits as needed. CWS also will assist communities in developing long-term recovery plans, providing technical and financial support.
CWS Emergency Response Specialists who can be contacted to provide information are:
Susanne Gilmore sgilmore@churchworldservice.org (785) 477-7823
Sandra Kennedy-Owes skowes@churchworldservice.org (251) 725-4262
Joann Hale jhale@churchworldservice.org (917) 705-3038
Kuulei Funn kfunn@churchworldservice.org (808) 226-6432
Volunteer Information
For those interested in volunteering, please register and obtain information at the following sites:
Bartow County: www.bartowrecovery.org/i-want-to-help/ or phone (770) 773-3264
Address: Adairsville Church of God, 297 Old Dixie Highway, Adairsville, GA
Calhoun County: www.gordoncounty.org/tornadoregistertowork
Address: Calhoun City FD #2, 391 Richardson Road, Calhoun, GA
How to Help
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. Donations to our emergency response efforts around the globe may also be made online.
Concerning CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets:
CWS thanks its member communions for the efforts to help restock our warehouses with material goods, such as CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets, Hygiene Kits, Baby Care Kits and School Kits.
During disaster such as this now is the time to remember that the most important humanitarian donation that an individual can make is cash. There are already reports of used clothing piling up: clothing and other materials that do little to restore the dignity of survivors. Remember, financial help is best. If you do have supplies that may be of help, contact a CWS Emergency Response Specialist to see if the materials can be used and where.
CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.