May 6 Disaster Response Update

UNITED WAY DONOR DOLLARS HELP VICTIMS OF MAY 6 STORMS

In light of the thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding on the evening of May 6, several of United Way’s disaster response Partner Agencies are actively addressing the needs of those affected by the recent storms in central Oklahoma.

Here are a few ways our Partner Agencies are at work in helping our friends, family and neighbors with much needed services.

American Red Cross, Central & Western Oklahoma Region is providing a bi-lingual shelter at the Santa Maria Virgen Episcopal Church located at 5500 S. Western Ave. for those affected in S. OKC. Another shelter is being provided at the Heritage Family Baptist Church at 600 N. Mustang Road in Tuttle for Bridge Creek and Blanchard families affected by the tornado. The American Red Cross also has feeding trucks out providing food and water to those affected and first responders.

The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command is responding with their mobile feeding unit (canteen) near SE 55th & I-35 and in the Bridge Creek area, serving food and water to those affected and first responders.

HeartLine 2-1-1 is serving as a resource for information. If you or someone you know was impacted by the storms and needs assistance, dial 2-1-1 for information and referral aid.

As always, our Partner Agencies continue to meet the needs of our community through their United Way funded programs, serving hundreds of clients each week.

Thanks to You, Partner Agencies Can Help in Times of Disaster

All this and more could not be accomplished without your generous contributions to the United Way of Central Oklahomas’s annual campaign. We can’t thank you enough for supporting United Way and giving Partner Agencies the hope to meet the needs of people in our community.


WERE YOU AFFECTED BY THE STORMS AND NEED HELP?

HeartLine’s 2-1-1 resource information hotline can connect you to resources like temporary shelters, donation drop off locations, and agencies assisting with social services and more.

For information or referral aid, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.heartlineoklahoma.org.


PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION

Due to Wednesday evening’s weather events and the potential for more severe weather this weekend, now is a good time to ensure you and your family are adequately prepared for severe weather.

  • Find The American Red Cross resources for building your own disaster kit here.
  • Download The American Red Cross “all-inclusive” app,Emergency, which combines more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts from natural to man-made, giving you real-time information to help keep you and your loved ones safe.


HOW YOU CAN RESPOND

The immediate needs of those impacted by this disaster are being met by our disaster relief Partner Agencies. As time progresses the longer term needs will be known and additional resources may be needed.

The United Way of Central Oklahoma Volunteer Center is activated however, disaster relief volunteers are not being requested at this time. Individuals and groups who desire to volunteer for recovery efforts should not self-deploy but await further instructions from disaster relief organizations as requests are made through media sources.