AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Respond to Severe Weather Over the Holidays

AmeriCorps sent this bulletin at 01/05/2016 12:25 PM EST

Missouri Flooding

AmeriCorps St. Louis assists with sandbagging activities in St. Louis, MO flooding event

Event Summary: Beginning on December 22, 2015 there has been major flooding throughout the state along main rivers, forcing roads to close and people to leave their homes. Communities are sandbagging around the clock. This flooding is related to the severe storm system that brought the tornadoes through Texas.

National Service Response: 

  • AmeriCorps St. Louis is the state lead for volunteer and donations management. Partnering with the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the City of St. Louis Streets and Parks Department, they led sandbagging operations prior to the storm. More than 20,000 sandbags were assembled with the assistance of 600 volunteers. Sandbags were distributed in communities adjacent to the River Des Peres in St. Louis. 
  • AmeriCorps members have moved from direct flood-fighting activities to developing and implementing a work order management system as tasked by the State Emergency Management Agency. AmeriCorps is working closely with state VOAD, United Way of St. Louis, and other partners in outreach and development of system.
  • AmeriCorps VISTA has been supporting the local COAD in Waynesville working with the Pulaski County emergency management system to coordinate local volunteers to assist in Red Cross shelters and with cleanup efforts.

In the News: 

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Mississippi Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Event Summary: On December 23, a tornado tore through northern Mississippi, destroying or damaging homes and and killing 11 people, according to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

National Service Response:  

  • An AmeriCorps NCCC team has deployed under the Mississippi Commission on Volunteer and Service to support clean-up activities and Volunteer Reception Center management in Walnut/Holly Springs, MS.
  • National service resources remain on standby to assist where needed.  The DSU continues to coordinate with FEMA, the State Office and State Service Commission to help with any unmet needs. 

Texas Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Event Summary: On December 26, at least nine tornadoes barreled through the Dallas area, specifically in Garland and Rowlett, claiming 11 lives. 

National Service Response: 

  • Senior Corps RSVP volunteers who serve at local non-profits in the Dallas area were actively involved with disaster response efforts.
  • National ervice resources remain on standby to assist where needed.  The DSU continues to coordinate with FEMA, the State Office and State Service Commission to help with any unmet needs. 

Tennessee Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Event Summary: On December 23, severe storms and tornadoes impacted multiple counties through the state causing minor flooding and tornado damage. The National Weather Service has confirmed five tornadoes touched down and had six confirmed, weather-related fatalities. 

National Service Response: 

  • National service resources remain on standby to assist where needed.  The DSU continues to coordinate with FEMA, the State Office and State Service Commission to help with any unmet needs. 

Arkansas Tornadoes and Flooding

Event Summary: At least four possible tornadoes touched down on December 27 tearing off roofs and uprooting trees; no injuries were reported. In addition to the tornadoes, almost half of Arkansas’s counties have declared emergencies for the active and impending flooding situation. 

National Service Response: 

  • National service resources remain on standby to assist where needed.  The DSU continues to coordinate with FEMA, the State Office and State Service Commission to help with any unmet needs. 

Illinois Flooding

Event Summary: Illinois has endured major flooding throughout the state after 10-14 inches of rain, claiming nine lives and damaging hundreds of homes. The water receded in most places on 1/3/16 but it is still rising in other areas. Damage assessments are starting and will take weeks to complete

National Service Response: 

  • National service resources remain on standby to assist where needed.  The DSU continues to coordinate with FEMA, the State Office and State Service Commission to help with any unmet needs.

January 5th, 2016

My Preparedness Story

The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response is kicking off New Year with the My Preparedness Story: Staying Healthy and Resilient Video Challenge.  The contest invites young people between the ages of 14 and 23 to submit a creative video—up to 60 seconds long—showing how they help their families, friends, and community protect their health during disasters and every day. 

Resources

National Service Assets in Times of Disaster

This document lists the national service resources available for disaster assistance.


New Disaster Events

For information on new disaster events, please visit FEMA’s daily situation report.

CNCS Disaster Services Knowledge Network

This online network provides a place to share what works at the intersection of disaster services and national service.

Disaster Preparedness

To learn more about how to prepare your family and community, please visit Ready.gov. 

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support. The Helpline is staffed by trained counselors from a network of crisis call centers located across the United States, all of whom provide:

  • Crisis counseling for those who are in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster
  • Information on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals and families
  • Tips for healthy coping
  • Disaster-specific resources and referral information.