When Disaster Strikes
Missourians awoke last week to news that a series of tornadoes had ripped through the state. Three people were killed in southwest Missouri and an EF3 twister struck Jefferson City. I was saddened to hear of the loss of life and property. The storm that hit the capital city did not cost any lives but a number of treasured historic homes were heavily damaged. Having spent a lot of time in Jefferson City over the past five months, I feel the loss and grieve with the residents of that city. Our prayers go out to all those affected throughout the state.
Closer to home, residents of the 16th Senatorial District know all too well the dangers of Mother Nature’s fury. We’ve had our own brushes with storms this spring and, located as we are in the midst of Tornado Alley, we’re aware that severe weather can strike at any time. Flooding, too, is a constant concern. Our area is blessed with many wonderful streams and rivers but, when it comes to water, there can definitely be too much of a good thing.
When natural disasters arise, victims are often at a loss of where to turn for help. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency is an excellent source of information for victims of natural disasters. SEMA’s sema.dps.mo.gov website provides information about state and federal resources, including contact information for appropriate agencies to address specific issues. A pull-down menu allows Missourians to easily find emergency coordinators and floodplain administrators in their local area.
One especially useful resource now available is the 2-1-1 website and telephone hotline administered by The United Way. By logging onto www.211helps.org or calling 2-1-1, Missourians can find help with disaster recovery, emergency housing, food and other critical needs. The phone line and website are available 24 hours a day, year-round, and also provide information about other services, such as mental health counseling, legal aid, transportation assistance and health and wellness providers in local communities.
The American Red Cross is often the first agency to swoop in and provide food and shelter for victims of disasters, but this organization can also guide you to resources to help with recovery. For information about available services, log onto www.redcross.org/local/missouri and click the “Get Help” tab. The Red Cross website includes a wealth of information about preparing for and surviving a natural disaster, as well as advice for rebuilding and recovering afterward.
The Missouri Department of Insurance has a Post-Disaster Claims Guide posted online at https://insurance.mo.gov. This reference provides useful information about filing claims with your insurance provider and offers an overview of what policy holders can expect.
For information about road closings from flooding and other disasters, log onto to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Travelers Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/index.html.
If you would like to lend a hand following a disaster, please contact the same organizations that victims turn to for help. The Red Cross and United Way will coordinate volunteers and channel donations to those in need. Generally, it’s best to avoid contributing to websites and organizations that pop up out of nowhere following a disaster. They could be a scam.
It’s impossible to prevent natural disasters, but there are steps you can take to prepare. Every home should be equipped with first aid supplies, emergency lighting and enough food and water to last a few days. To ensure that you always receive up-to-the-minute information about weather-related emergencies, consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio, with battery back-up. These radios can be programmed to go off only when specific events affecting your exact location are eminent. Missouri is blessed with 100 percent NOAA weather radio coverage throughout rural areas and this system of emergency broadcasts can definitely save lives.
It’s been a tough spring for many residents of Missouri. Let’s all pray for those who have been impacted by severe weather. If you’re so led, please consider donating time or money to help those in need. Please stay safe and pay attention to weather warnings.
It’s my honor to serve as your senator for the 16th District. If you have questions or need any assistance, please call my office at 573-751-5713 or log onto my webpage at https://www.senate.mo.gov/brown for more information.