Cedar County tornado response effort continues

Cleanup and response to tornadoes that struck Vernon and Cedar counties continues as emergency managers in both counties evaluated the damage and helped to set up resources and convey information to those affected by March 12 tornadoes.

A tornado that caused great damage to some farms near Montevallo crossed into Cedar County, becoming its strongest in Cedar County south of El Dorado Springs.

According to the National Weather Service, that tornado stayed on the ground for about 38 miles.

Officials in both counties were busy on Thursday, evaluating circumstances. Cedar County Emergency Management met on Thursday, to get an update on relief work in progress and to coordinate future efforts.

Several aspects of the situation were discussed, and Cedar County Emergency Management Director Jesse Taylor identified two aspects of relief efforts -- emergency food supplies and volunteer management -- as the top priorities at the time.

Emergency food:

Tornado victims in need of groceries may go to the First Assembly of God Church, corner of Freeman and Park, El Dorado

Springs, 9a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, for about a week's worth of groceries. Those in need of food whose home has been destroyed or severely damaged should call the church at (417) 876-3056.

Volunteer management

Some owners of homes destroyed or damaged by the tornado need labor and other assistance, Cedar County Emergency Management has named Dana Taylor as volunteer management coordinator. He may be reached at this office at (417) 876-3056. The idea is to assess the needs, assimilate skills and available equipment and machinery, organize volunteers and place them in areas or with people who need them.

Those with labor needs for disaster recovery should call Taylor and submit a request for assistance. Those who wish to volunteer labor, skills or equipment should call Taylor as well.

Other resources

Materials such as tools, blankets, bottled water and other items are available at First Baptist Church, 500 S. Main, El Dorado Springs, in the new auditorium on the Joe Davis Street side, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m., Sunday.

Showers have been made available by the city of El Dorado Springs, in the community center, 135 W. Spring Street. Users are to bring their own towels. Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Waivers relating to debris disposal as the state and federal emergency management agencies are completing assessments. For now, residents are to take debris to the Lamar landfill.

Bank accounts have been set up at all four El Dorado Springs banks -- Mid-Missouri Bank, Community Bank, Heritage Bank and Liberty Bank. Make checks payable to Cedar County Tornado Relief Fund. Donations are tax deductible.

Statewide resources for individuals, businesses

Vernon County Emergency Management Director Dennis Kimrey noted that Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and FEMA officials are urging disaster victims to register via a special disaster telephone line.

Blunt said Friday that "because damage assessments are continuing, I will be asking for additional counties to be added to the Federal Disaster Declaration. Any Missouri citizen or business that sustained storm related damages may call (800) 621-3362 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week."

It's the first step in the recovery process, according to FEMA officials, who warn that "people should not prejudge their potential eligibility. If they suffered damage, they should call."

Disaster victims may also visit www.fema.gov to begin the disaster application process. Callers will be asked to give the location of the damages, types of damages, a daytime telephone number for FEMA inspectors to call and insurance information. Callers also will be asked to provide a mailing address.

Within a few days, citizens who call the 800 number will receive a small Business Administration loan application for a low interest loan, which must be completed and returned before citizens can qualify for federal assistance.

The SBA low interest disaster loans are available for renters, homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations. Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for real estate repairs. Renters and homeowners can borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

Businesses can apply for loans to cover losses not covered by insurance, to repair or to replace damaged buildings, to help recover or mitigate against future disasters.

Those who do not qualify for an SBA loan may qualify for an individual and household grant. The grants help with temporary housing assistance, home repairs and limited financial assistance to replace destroyed homes or personal possessions.