Central Indiana Tornado Information and Tips - Indiana 211 ...

Central Indiana Tornado Information and Tips Last updated September 7, 2016, 8am ET The resources listed in this document are specific to the response for the torandoes in Central Indiana (primarily Howard and Montgomery counties). For additional or more updated information, Hoosiers may dial 2-1-1. The tornado-related information is changing daily, so please check back for updates. If you have corrections or additions to this information, please contact: [email protected].

HELP FOR TORNADO SURVIVORS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL - CALL 211 Call 2-1-1 to learn about info referenced in this document or for referrals to local services. Information is changing and updated frequently. Thanks to our partners: United Way, IN211. Survivors are strongly urged to guard against fraud. State and federal agencies and volunteer organizations will provide credentials and services for free. If in doubt, ask for credential. If you suspect fraud, call authorities.

SHELTER The Red Cross Shelter in Kokomo/Howard County has closed as of Friday, September 2, 2016.

CASE MANAGEMENT- DISASTER Tornado affected indivduals/families are encouraged to call the American Red Cross at 317-817-5619 to be screened and connected with a caseworker who can assist you, if eligible, with resourced needed to recover,

CASE MANAGEMENT - LONG TERM RECOVERY Long term recovery casework will begin soon. Check back for additional information.

CLOTHING ASSISTANCE Howard County - A clothing pantry list is available for pick up at United Way of Howard County/United Way 211, 210 West Walnut Street, Kokomo, IN 46901

COUNSELING/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Howard County - Four County Counseling Center is offering free crisis counseling from a licensed therapist at the Kokomo Event Center Shelter. Walk-in therapy is available at 4 County Counseling, 1948 W Boulevard Street, Kokomo, IN 46902; Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Free Annonymous Crisis Counseling is also available 24 hours a day by texting “IN” to 741741.

DEBRIS REMOVAL/CLEAN UP Debris must be sorted and disposed in categories - green (limbs), appliances, large household items (furniCentral Indiana Tornado Info and Tips, last updated 9/7/2016 8am ET - check www.in211.org for updates. Copyright 2016. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Debris Removal/Clean-up - continued ture, mattress), demolition or contruction debris and household trash (in heavy duty trash bags) to be take to curb or landfill. If you need assistance with clean up call 2-1-1 to sign up.

DEVICE CHARGING STATIONS/FREE WIFI ACCESS Device charging stations are available at the Emergency Shelter, Kokomo Event Center, 1500 North Reed Road, Kokomo, IN 46901 Comcast is providing free WIFI access through more than 10,000 public hotspots for everyone in Kokomo and Crawfordsville now through September 10th. For a map of Xfinity WIFI hotspots located both indoors and outdoors users should visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Follow the instructions below to gain access: • Once at a hotspot, users should select the Xfinity network name in the list of available hotspots and launch a browser. • Xfinity Internet customers can sign in with their username and password, and will be automatically connected at Xfinity WIFI hotspots in the future. • Non-Xfinity customers should visit the “Not an Xfinity Internet Customer” section on the sign-in page to get started. Non-customers will be able to renew their complimentary sessions every two (2) hours through September 10, 2016.

FOOD/MEALS Howard County - The Kokomo Event Center, 1500 North Reed Road, Kokomo, IN 46901 will be offering meals to anyone, even if they are not staying at the shelter.

INFANT SUPPLIES Howard County - Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center, 115 West Mulberry Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. Phone: (765) 454-5566. Hours: Tues, 9am-2pm; Wed, 12noon-5pm; Thurs, 4pm-7pm; Fri, 10am-3pm ET.

KEEPSAKES/RECOVERED PICTURES/IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS Kokomo/Howard County Public Library (KHCPL) is a secure gathering place for items people find in tehir yards that are obviously from someone else’s home. Items of sentimental value truly can’t be replaced and are especially important to people at this itme. If you find something of sentimental or actual value, please drop it off at the circulation department at the main branch of KHCPL. When coming to retrieve items, an ID and/or description of the item may be required.

LAUNDRY SUPPLIES New laundry voucher and laundry soap program available Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm downstairs at United Way of Howard County, 210 West Walnut Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. To recieve a voucher you must have a referral from 211 (upstairs, right door) or the Red Cross. You will need to provide proof of address (or pictures of your damage) and a photo ID. Supplies are limited.

MAIL SERVICES The UPS Stores at 120 North Dixon (765-452-2494) and 2214 E Boulevard (765-457-6745) are offer 3 free months of mailbox service to tornado affected residents. Call individual store for more information and to set up service. - continued on next page Central Indiana Tornado Info and Tips, last updated 9/7/2016 8am ET - check www.in211.org for updates. Copyright 2016. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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PERMITS - BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION The City of Kokomo will immediately waive building permit and inspection fees for those affected by the August 24 tornado. This includes fees associated with new construction, alterations or remodeling related to the tornado. For additional information call the Kokomo Plan Commission, 765-456-2330.

PETS Howard County - An animal shelter (trailer) to house displaced pets is located at The Kokomo Event Center, 1500 North Reed Road, Kokomo, IN 46901. Free pet food is also available.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES Kokomo Center Schools - If tornado affected families have any need that is prohibiting a child from returning to school, they need to contact their school principal. They have funding available for books, clothes, supplies, etc. Contact Cynthia Evans at (765)-455-8000 x 309.

STORAGE Stor-It Mini Warehouses is providing storage for disaster affected individuals/families. Phone: (765) 452-4958.

TARP INSTALLATION Howard County - Christian Ministries has a crew that will provide free tarops and install them for free. Call (330) 473-9542 for more information. Howard County - The City Line Trolley is running routes today. Travelers should call to confirm routes before they travel as routes are changing as streets open/close. Contact Kokomo Howard County Governmental Coordinated Council at (765) 456-2336 or visit their office at 209 South Union Street, Kokomo, IN 46901

VOLUNTEER INFO Volunteer opportunities will be available after a thorough assessment of the damage has been completed and it is safe to enter the area. Howard County Volunteers should register with the United Way of Howard County by visiting: www.unitedwayhoco.org/community/volunteer-kokomostrong. You will be contacted when its safe to go into the affected area and as opportunities arise. If you do not have internet access, you may call 2-1-1. Red Cross will offer mandatory one-hour training for disaster volunteers at the Carver Community Center, 1030 North Purdum Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. Schedule: Friday, August 26, 9am-5pm; Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, 9am-3pm; Monday, August 29, 9am-5pm ET. Montgomery County Additional volunteers are not being requested at this time. CAUTION - Law enforcement officials do not allow anyone without creditials into affected areas. Do NOT self deploy to the area. - continued on next page Central Indiana Tornado Info and Tips, last updated 9/7/2016 8am ET - check www.in211.org for updates. Copyright 2016. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Volunteer Info - continued TIPS ON VOLUNTEERING • Register and get prepared now! The recovery efforts will take time. Many volunteer deployments in the area require screening, immunizations, training and preparation. • When considering volunteering on-site, know yourself and your limitations. Tornado work site volunteering is not for everyone. Lots of volunteer options will be available in the coming weeks and months. • Out-of-area volunteers often need to be self-sustaining or need to provide their own financial support for incidentals. Please do NOT deploy directly to the area. LEARN ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (invoad.communityos.org) INVOAD is an association of organizations, each with a special rold in the different phases of disaster relief and recovery. INVOAD organizations respect each other’s expertise and support each other through sharing of information, and when possible, donations, and volunteers. Ask your local organizations or faith community if there are opportunities to get involved. Here are just a few examples of areas of expertise: Adventist Community Services - warehousing experts American Red Cross - shelter, supportive services for survivors Friends Disaster Services - debris removal, tree cutting, re-building The Salvation Army - mass shelter and food for survivors and on-site volunteers Samaritan’s Purse - canvassing and debris removal United Methodist Committee on Relief - provides health kits, personal care kits and cleaning kits See invoad.communityos.org for more information.

DONATION INFO Remember to CARE! C: Cash - Your financial gift gets help to people FAST! A: Ask - Ask before collecting items that may not be needed. R: Respond - Volunteer with a relief or long-term recovery organization. E: Everyone can help! TIPS ON MAKING DONATIONS • To maximize your donation, support recognized organizations that have experience in disaster recovery. • If you want your CASH donation to be used to support survivors or the recovery efforts for Tornado survivors, specify Tornado Response, COUNTY NAME with your donation. Monetary Donations are most in need You can donate to the American Red Cross by: • Visiting www.redcross.org • Calling 1-800-733-2767 • Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation • Specifiy “Kokomo” You can donate to The Salvation Army by: • Visiting www.salvationarmy.org • Specificy “Kokomo” under “Specific Use” Central Indiana Tornado Info and Tips, last updated 9/7/2016 8am ET - check www.in211.org for updates. Copyright 2016. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Donations Info - continued Howard County You can donate directly to United Way of Howard County by: • Visiting www.unitedwayhoco.org/community/give • Mail checks to United Way of Howard County, 210 West Walnut Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 (specify #tornado relief in the memo line of your check) Montgomery County • Montgomery United Fund for You (MUFFY), PO Box 247, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 (specify “Disaster Relief” on the memo line of your check) or donate online at: www.muffy.org/donate.html •

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Check out organizations with the Better Business Bureau Charity Division (http://www.give.org/) or with Guide Star (http://www.guidestar.org/). Charitable nonprofit organizations should be able to provide you a copy of their mission statement, tax returns, board lists, etc. upon request. Unless you know where the goods are going, how they being transported, and how they are being distributed, they may go to waste. Verify current lists of items needed and destination plans. Do not organize a drive unless you have confirmed that a reputable recovery organization will handle the storage, transportation and distribution. Please do not donate anything that you would not use yourself. Organizations are overwhelmed with clothing and other items that are in such poor condition that they are thrown away. Please DO NOT SEND used clothing—If you have already collected clothes, hold a yard or rummage sale and donate the cash funds to recovery efforts.

SUPPORT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Support the volunteers and staff who are working in the response effort. A note of thanks, a delivered pizza or food treats, gasoline cards, gift certificates and more will show that you appreciate their long hours and dedication. Many organizations often receive little to no additional donations and little recognition for the work they do. Many of these organizations will be working for months after the initial crisis is stablized. They need your support.

SPECIFIC NEEDS The following items are needed as of 8/26/2016: • Water • Diapers • Personal Hygiene Products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, combs/hairbrushes) • Trash bags (heavy duty) • Rakes and Shovels • Gloves • Do NOT bring clothes - clothing should be donated to regular outlets.

HOWARD COUNTY TORANDO RELIEF DONATIONS WAREHOUSE is now operational and being operated by Kokomo Rescue Mission and GM Kokomo. Location: General Motors TTC (Tool Technology Center), 2161 E Boulevard, Kokomo, IN 46902. Hours for donations/assistance (week of 9/6-9/10): Tuesday/Thursday, 3pm-6pm; Wednesday/Friday, 1-4pm; Saturday 10am-noon. For times beyond this week please contact Kokomo Resurce Mission at 765-456-3838. What to bring: Photo ID, proof of address in the impacted area or paper referral from Red Cross or United Way. Central Indiana Tornado Info and Tips, last updated 9/7/2016 8am ET - check www.in211.org for updates. Copyright 2016. Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. All rights Reserved. Indiana 211 is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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