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Latest Bulletin from the Coordinator of the Kentucky Interchurch Disaster Recovery Program Concerning Western Kentucky: 3-10-00 The nation's earliest disaster occurred in Owensboro and surrounding counties on January 3, 2000. Because of a high percentage of insured victims, information regarding the kind and extent of recovery needs has be-on delayed beyond what we would normally expect. The Kentucky VOAD met recently and discussed this problem and together with the American Red Cross and FEMA is taking active steps to free up information and identify those with unmet needs. An interfaith council is organized in Owensboro, which includes a broadly based committee of official agencies, government emergency management officials, the local ministerial association and various religious groups of which KIDRP is a part. Another committee is functioning in several outlying counties affected by the tornadoes. Survey and assessment teams have been doing an excellent job of identifying persons on the shortfall of recovery resources and a warehouse has been set up to handle materials as they are needed. The KIDRP coordinator is representing the Kentucky Council of Churches on this committee. On the positive side, not as many victims will need help and less help will be required than was originally protected. Unfortunately, the Western Kentucky disaster has a negative side in that information about victims has been slow coming and problems about status of victims (insurance coverage, previous compensations, loans, etc.) has inordinately delayed beginning of reconstruction and repair projects. The presence of Church World Service and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMcor) assessment teams will significantly enhance the expedition of this process. John Kays and Roger Newell will be attending the next meeting of the local committee, March 13, and KIDRP will be a regular part of this local effort to bring restoration to the community. |
Traveled to Owensboro on January 10 to meet with official agencies and church Volunteer groups, tour affected areas, and plan for future involvement in the recovery operations. Met with the city emergency operations director, Richard Payne, and with Red Cross officials at the central operations center; Mr. George Betz, who is in charge of coordinating volunteer organizations in the relief phase, and with several area pastors, church leaders. Owensboro has a strong interfaith organization who will be directing the recovery phase. I assured them that KIDRP will be a team player on this "unmet needs" committee and will cooperate in every way to take care of needs not covered by federal or state funds. When this committee is organized, I will return to Owensboro when official meetings are scheduled.
As of now, we have determined that a very high percentage of victims had full or partial insurance. Already, local church and civic groups are doing cleanup and providing other services. Several businesses were damaged or destroyed, but with the disaster federally declared, they should have most of their long-range needs met. There is a strong community support attitude, due mostly to taking seriously the preparation phase of disaster planning. KIDRP has been a part of this on-going effort Kentucky Wesleyan College sustained severe damage (reports confirm the President's home was severely damaged) and several churches, including the 7th Day Adventist church also were damaged. These church groups are among the most active when disaster strikes. KIDRP will continue to be involved in the recovery of these communities and as a team player on the unmet needs committee will be directing available funds and Volunteer services to the overall effort.
In response to the question,
"What can I do?" I offer these suggestions:
>Send material items ONLY when
specifically requested by the local authorities. Items not needed
are frequently a burden to front line workers.
>Money for KIDRP's Support of the operation will undoubtedly
be needed. There are some funds currently available for immediate
disaster use, but, when the unmet needs committee is able to assess
the actual "unmet" needs, there will be requests for
additional funds. Church judicatories may contribute monies set
aside for recovery to the Council office, KIDRP accounts and these
funds will be used directly for the support of this disaster recovery
endeavor.
>Remember these people in your players. Thankfully, there were
no injuries in this disaster (a miracle in my judgment after viewing
the devastation!) but there is much work to be done and the hardest
times are ahead for the victims. Be ready to come to the aid of
our fellow citizens when requests are made.
John Kays
KIDRP Coordinator
>3 counties affected, Daviess, Crittenden, Webster.
>Federal declaration of a disaster in these counties was signed
by President Clinton on Monday, 10 January for both individuals
and businesses.
Agencies currently involved:
>American Red Cross, FEMA, Salvation Army, Volunteer Groups
(7-" Day Adventist, Southern Baptist, UMCor, UCC, and other
individual church and civic organizations).
Breakdowin of activities in the affected region:
>Several shelters were operating in Owensboro, but as of
Monday, all are closed.
>There are at least 5 operations centers throughout the city,
family service centers, warehouses for clothing and supplies distribution,
clean-up operations by local church and civic groups.
>A clearing-house for volunteer support is operating in downtown
Owensboro.
Statistical information:
>The storm cut a path 7 miles long and about 1 and a half miles wide. Devastation was widespread, but sporadic in its damage.
Following is a breakdown of damage by county and by severity of damage:
Daviess County:
Destroyed - 114 single dwellings, 2 mobile homes, 25 multi-family
apartments
Damaged - 394 single dwellings, 12 mobile homes (major), 10 (minor),
227 multifamily (major) 353 (minor)
Total: 140 destroyed, 633 major damage, 2022 minor damage
Crittenden County:
Destroyed - 9 single family dwellings, 5 mobile homes,
Damaged - 14 single dwellings (major), 53 (minor), 4 mobile homes
(major), 12 (minor).
Total: 14 destroyed, 18 major damage, 65 minor damage.
Webster County:
Destroyed - 3 single dwellings, 3 mobile homes.
Damaged - 5 single dwellings (major), 10 (minor), 3 mobile homes
1 (major), 2 (minor),
Total: 6 destroyed, 6 major damage, 12 minor damage.
Overall totals- 162 destroyed, 659 major damage, 2114 minor damage.
Contact KIDRP coordinator, John Kays, to find our more about how you can help.