2024 tornado outbreak: How to help — and find help

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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Acknowledging — and applauding — the public's willingness to help, officials shared information during Saturday's news conference about the best ways to assist those affected by Friday's tornadoes.

Damage assessments were expected to be extensive, authorities said in the aftermath, meaning recovery efforts will be substantial once fully underway. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said in an update the day after the tornadoes hit that she had received calls from mayors all over the state, including Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, offering to send personnel or resources, the mayor of Lincoln has also reached out to offer assistance.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

In the immediate aftermath, authorities were advising that the best thing to do was check on your neighbors, make a donation, or connect with an official organization already involved in the recovery process — or wait for the call for volunteers that will assuredly come later.

One such call is happening Saturday morning, May 11. Heartland Hope Mission is looking for volunteers to join them in their relief efforts from 9-11 a.m. at its West Omaha location, 15555 Industrial Road. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and wearing closed-toe shoes.

"No registration to volunteer required — just show up to help," according to their Friday news release.

On Wednesday, May 8, Omaha Rapid Response said they were looking for volunteers, encouraging those who wanted to help to sign up online.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson encouraged those who want to help to do so in an organized way: Call 211 and offer to help, or to reach out to organizations like Omaha Rapid Response.

"Don't just go out on your own and try to help in your own way," he said.

Douglas County Emergency Management was also funneling people to 211, saying in a news release Saturday night that they were at capacity and no longer able to accept donations for the time being.

Omaha Police followed suit on Sunday, thanking the community for the overwhelming amount of support and donations expressed in the wake of Friday's storm. Officials say donations cannot be accepted for the time being, but encouraged those wanting to volunteer to dial 211.

GIVE WHAT YOU CAN

Several agencies have expressed their appreciation for the community's generosity but were unable to take any more item donations and asked that those wanting to help consider finacially supporting relief efforts.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, 6 News WOWT has set up a fundraiser to help those in our communities who were hit by the tornadoes and severe weather on April 26.

United Way of the Midlands is also taking contributions to assist those in need in the aftermath of Friday's storms, noting several large business have already made donations.

The Nebraska & Iowa Tornado Relief Fund was set up to provide funds directly to nonprofits helping with emergency shelter, clothing, and other essentials in the aftermath of Friday's storms.

Those looking to give to the fund can do so online via the link below; or text TORNADO24 to 41-444.

The Omaha Community Foundation is also taking donations. They have set up the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund, which you can contribute to via omahafoundation.org.

Heartland Hope Mission is also taking donations for tornado fictims. The organization's West Omaha location has becom a Crisis Respons Center, providing essentials like food, diapers, formula, hygiene products, and clothing to families in need every day except Sundays.

Husker Athletics is also selling "Nebraska Together" shirts to raise money for Red Cross local relief efforts. The T-shirts and sweatshirts range in price from about $25-$53.

If you're looking to support individual families and projects, GoFundMe has put together a searchable page with several verified active funding drives from around the area.

The Bennington Public Schools Foundation and Bennington Community Foundation have partnered to form the Bennington Disaster Relief Fund. Cash or check is also being accepted -- just drop off your donation at i3 Bank in Bennington and indicate "Bennington Disaster Relief Fund" in the memo.

TORNADO RECOVERY

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

FEMA is encouraging any Nebraska homeowner or renter who suffered damage in the April 25-27 severe storms to apply for federal aid regardless of whether they have insurance.

FEMA is also providing Disaster Assistance Centers, where victims can get help navigating federal assistance applications, in Elkhorn and Blair. To expedite this help, FEMA urges you to go ahead and apply with FEMA online or by phone if you can before visiting a DAC.

There is a DAC open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice in the Community Room of the Omaha Police Deparment's Elkhorn precinct, located at 20924 Cumberland Drive.

FEMA will also have a DAC open at First Lutheran Church, located at 2146 Wright St. in Blair, starting Friday from 1-7 p.m.; this center willl then be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Additionally, the IRS is also rolling out tax relief for Nebraskans most impacted by the April 26 storm. Taxpayers who live or have a business in Douglas and Washington counties, which were declared federal disaster areas following the tornadoes that hit several areas there, now have until Sept. 3 to file or pay any taxes due.

TORNADO RECOVERY

IF YOU NEED HELP

The Salvation Army is setting up support centers, known as MARC, to help victims as they navigate the aftermath of the tornadoes. Victims can get gift cards, water and snacks, as well as emotional and spiritual care from a Salvation Army social services caseworker at each site:

In Elkhorn, stop by 9301 N. 240th St. from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday May 9, with dinner provided that evening; and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday May 10, with lunch provided at midday. FEMA also has Disaster Assistance Center open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice in the Community Room of the Omaha Police Deparment's Elkhorn precinct, located at 20924 Cumberland Drive.

In Blair, head to the gym at Dana Village, located on the former Dana College Campus, from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday May 15.

The Salvation Army will also be at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch, located at 3935 Highway 133 in Blair, from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday May 9-10. At this site, local storm victims can pick up free household goods and yard-clean-up supplies. There will also be a limited number of lunches and dinners available on-site, with several transported to area residents impacted by the recent storms.

People still in need of shelter can reach out to the American Red Cross, where no documentation is required. You can also find updates on their online response page.

Shelters were initially made available for displaced residents, but were closed as agencies reported those needing it had found housing, temporary or otherwise.

Mayor Stothert said Saturday, April 27, that about 100 people stayed at Common Ground Community Center in Elkhorn following the storms Friday night. Normally, the facility functions as a fitness center. The Red Cross said the facility was mostly used by people needing to stop by, eat, and rest. That means friends, family, even strangers opened their homes to those left homeless.

If you're looking for help navigating damage recovery, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS to start that process. The Red Cross also suggested downloading their emergency assistance app for more information.

Pottawattamie County emergency officials are planning a multi-agency resource center, know as MARC, this weekend. Tornado victims are welcome to come to United Church of Christ, located near Lincoln and Main streets in Minden, from 9 a.m. noon Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday to connect with agencies that can help them navigate the aftermath of Friday's storms and access health services, including mental health resources, as well as temporary housing, legal aid, and more.

"Efforts to establish future MARCs are being coordinated, with possible locations in Crecent, Treynor, and Council Bluffs," the website states.

Pottawattamie County residents are also encouraged to file preliminary damage assessments with the county using their online form.

United Way is also assisting with the 211 help line, which serves Nebraska and Iowa. They are also assisting with damage reports in Douglas County, and will help coordinate volunteers to help with clean up when it's determined to be safe to do so.

Anyone who needs help can reach out at ne211.org, or text their ZIP Code to 898-211.

The city has debris centers open, and encourage residents to call 211 to report damage or submit reports online. City officials have also sent up drones to survey the damaged areas.

Share Iowa also has gathered a list of helpful resources for tornado victims.

Open Door Mission is taking prayer requests. They have an online form for those requesting prayer support.

"Our hearts are heavy because of the devastation around us, but we are counting our blessings. We know many of our supporters, volunteers and friends were impacted in a big way by the storm. We want you to know we are here. We are praying for you," Dr. Candace L. Gregory, president and CEO of Open Door Mission, said in a news release Monday.

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