 The Oklahoma Standard: Neighbor Helping Neighbor
In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma, last week, we have witnessed remarkable courage and compassion.
From the first responders who pulled survivors from the rubble, to the teachers who shielded their students, to the residents who sheltered their neighbors, Oklahomans have displayed extraordinary strength and resilience.
Read more on the National Service Blog
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Rumor Control
There is a lot of
misinformation circulating on social networks regarding the response and
recovery effort for the Oklahoma tornadoes. Rumors spread fast: please tell a
friend, share this page, and help us provide accurate information about the
types of assistance available.
Check the FEMA website for the latest updates to this list of rumors and their
true or false status.
Destroyed Homes
Rumor: Some media have been reporting
10,000 – 12,000 destroyed homes as a result of the tornado.
Fact:
In reality, there are approximately 1,200 destroyed homes –
closer to figures supported by registration numbers, American Red Cross data
and geospatial reports.
MOORE, OK TORNADOES, May 20, 2013
On May 20, 2013, a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma (pop 56,315). Initial
analysis indicates at least EF-4 tornado damage; caused by winds of at least
166 mph. There were 24 confirmed fatalities and 387 injuries. Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4117-DR-OK was
approved on May 20, 2013.
96 National Service members
are currently deployed to respond to the OK tornadoes:
-
10 AmeriCorps St. Louis
- 10 Texas
Conservation Corps
- 9
AmeriCorps NCCC members from Denver
- 60 members –
7 FEMA Corps teams
- 2
AmeriCorps Equal Justice Works Legal Aids
-
4 American Red Cross’s
AmeriCorps National Preparedness and Response Corps
- 1 AmeriCorps Member—American
Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids: Together We Prepare AmeriCorps Program
National Service in Action:
Report from the Field - AmeriCorps St. Louis and Texas Conservation Corps
- Supporting the MARCs (Multi Agency Resource Centers—MARCs are
facilities open to the public to obtain a variety of services and resources,
including FEMA information, mental health support, financial services, etc.
They bring together local, state, and national organizations and agencies to
have a “one stop shop” for the community’s relief and recovery needs)
- Supporting homeowner
intake process
- Established an online
homeowner intake database
- Working with VOAD and volunteers organizations on the ground to
assess short and long term volunteer needs, including Volunteer Reception
Centers (VRC)
- Working with United Way of Central Oklahoma on updating and
maintaining 211
Bethel Acres
- Established communication
with local ground volunteers
- Established and staffed
volunteer hours tracking system
Shawnee
- Assessed potential VRC
location in Shawnee
- Assessed long term
volunteer potential
Volunteer Information
Contact the Life Church at
1-866-484-3500 OR go to moore.recovers.org
In addition, a Virtual
Volunteer Reception Center has been set up through Volunteer Center within the
United Way of Central Oklahoma. Click here to register your interest to volunteer OR find
current volunteer opportunities available. As soon as opportunities
become available you will be notified of those opportunities and the ability to
sign up.
We ask they your enthusiasm and interest
stay long after the first few weeks. Volunteers will be critically needed
throughout the recovery. The immediate needs of the survivors are being met
through local emergency management, the American Red Cross and many VOAD
agencies. Please do not self deploy. We are working diligently to identify
meaningful volunteer opportunities to assist the survivors and help rebuild
their community. We appreciate your patience!
RESOURCES
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
If you
would like to learn more about how to prepare your family and/or community
please visit www.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.
The
Disaster Services Unit (DSU) at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has agency-wide responsibility for coordination
of CNCS disaster services activities. The DSU provides expertise, ongoing
support, and access to a network of dedicated volunteers. CNCS subscribes
to the belief that all disasters are local. Our focus is on enhancing and
adding value to what already exists in communities and infrastructure --
working in partnership with State Service Commissions, local government,
nonprofits, and faith-based organizations.
The
Disaster Services Unit can be reached at DSU@cns.gov and is staffed by:
Kelly DeGraff, Senior Advisor, Disaster Services
Katrina French, Program Officer, Disaster Services
Jen Prall, Program Officer, Disaster Services
Jason Scott, Program Officer, Disaster Services
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