Kentucky Tornadoes
A deadly outbreak of tornadoes cut paths of destruction across 6 states on December 10, 2021, killing a reported 77 people in the state of Kentucky alone and leaving thousands more homeless or without power.
Through CAF America, you can advise a grant in support of organizations working to provide direct relief, establish a fund to make a long lasting impact, or contribute to an already established fund.
As an organization committed to enabling cross-border charitable giving, CAF America stands ready to assist US donors wanting to support the ongoing relief efforts. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can do to assist you: info@cafamerica.org or 202-793-2232.
Organizations Responding to the Kentucky Tornadoes
The American Red Cross and our partners are working around the clock across multiple states to help those in need and make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies, emotional support and comfort in the face of one of the most devastating tornado outbreaks in years. Several emergency shelters are open to provide comfort for people who can’t return home. As the weather clears, Red Cross volunteers will be out in affected communities assessing the damage left behind to help determine the types of support people may need in the coming days and weeks.
Team Rubicon is raising money to help its team of military veterans and volunteers clear roads in Western Kentucky.
Direct Relief is coordinating efforts with local healthcare facilities and several national and state groups. The most requested items from Direct Relief’s inventory following tornadoes include emergency medical backpacks, personal hygiene kits, over-the-counter products and personal protective equipment. Early distributions of anesthetics, diabetes medication, pain relievers, and other medicines and supplies, are being routed through healthcare providers in Mayfield and Peducah, Kentucky, which have additional locations in Arkansas and Mississippi.
International Medical Corps is working hand-in-hand with local and state emergency management officials to assess the scope of the devastation and to prioritize response efforts. We are poised to deploy emergency medical field units and resources, as well as mobile medical teams, to provide critical surge support to local hospitals and to assist hard-hit communities and shelters. We also are working closely with local organizations to provide hygiene and other household items for displaced families, as well as generators and logistical support to enable these local organizations to continue providing essential services.
Reach Out WorldWide: We have a chainsaw/demo crew, heavy equipment crew, and a supply distribution crew. We will be clearing access ways, tarping roofs, and purchasing and distributing much needed supplies and equipment. We also are supporting Waterstep that will be providing potable water throughout the local disaster area.
All Hands and Hearts: Although some areas are still inaccessible due to search and rescue missions, our Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) has been assessing the situation to determine how we can provide immediate relief. We’ll have two skilled chainsaw teams working in the Mayfield, Kentucky, area, likely moving into Dawson Springs as well. Prior to the chainsaw work, the teams will support each homeowner through the emotional task of sifting through the debris and packing up any salvageable belongings. Then they’ll tackle clearing the rubble.
Global Empowerment Mission: We are partnered with local groups and are raising money to help their teams on the ground in Kentucky.
