Updated Saturday, May 4, 2024

It has been one week since the tornado outbreak in Nebraska and Iowa. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of the storm, Red Cross disaster workers have mobilized to help neighbors affected by the recent storms. 

Volunteers are continuing to distribute Emergency Relief Supplies to help residents with clean-up efforts. The relief items include rakes, shovels, trash bags, work gloves and cleaning supplies. To date, nearly 3,000 relief items have been distributed to more than 550 households.

Along with the relief supplies, volunteers have delivered meal kits, with a variety of food items to help families in the initial days after the tornadoes. Nearly 450 meal kits have been provided.

Additionally, volunteers are wrapping up assessment of the residential damage in affected communities to better understand what help families may need in the days and weeks ahead. While the current focus is on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.

The Red Cross remains in contact with local officials across the impacted areas to evaluate the needs of the residents.

Anyone affected by the storms can receive assistance by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those interested in donating to support Disaster Relief can visit redcross.org/donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text REDCROSS to 90999.

The shelters that opened in the aftermath of the storm have closed as residents identified other lodging options. Red Cross emergency shelters are designed to meet the immediate, short-term needs of impacted residents until long-term efforts can get underway. Residents affected by the storms can receive assistance by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

FOOD AND GOODS DONATIONS

The Red Cross is grateful to all who want to help following the storms by donating food or goods. At this time, the focus is on meeting immediate needs of the residents and assessing impacts to the community. The Red Cross is not able to take donations of food or goods at this time.

VOLUNTEERING

Many people have expressed interest in volunteering to support our response efforts, and we are appreciative of the offers to assist. At this time our trained Red Cross Volunteers are working this series of emergencies across Nebraska and Iowa. If you would like to become a trained Red Cross volunteer – you can complete an application at www.redcross.org/volunteer.  The application process can take a few days and requires your authorization for a Background Check. Once your Red Cross application is complete, you will be contacted about your volunteer interest and referred to the appropriate department for necessary training.