Communities are scrambling to assess the damage after one of the worst tornado events in state history swept across western Kentucky overnight.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Saturday morning, saying at least 50 people are dead. And the death toll is expected to rise.
More than 30 tornadoes have been reported in at least six states, spanning more than 200 miles from Arkansas to Kentucky. Tens of thousands of Kentuckians remain without power and many are without shelter.
As search and rescue efforts continue in impacted counties, here’s how you can help:
Donate to disaster relief funds
Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund
Kentucky Red Cross:
- Donate onlinehere
- Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
- To donate by phone via credit card or to ask questions about donating money to the Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669)
His House Ministries (Mayfield, Ky)
Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief
Shop Local Kentucky – purchase a “Kentucky Strong” T-shirt and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund
Mayfield-Graves County United Way
Salvation Army Disaster Relief
Donate blood
Kentucky Red Cross: Find your local blood bank here
Kentucky Blood Center: Find a drive here
Donate clothes, blankets, toiletries and other supplies
*Suggested donations include gas for generators, flash lights, head lamps, batteries, utility gloves, phone chargers, water, gas cans, socks, undergarments, blankets, coats, warm clothes, shoes, toiletries, paper towels, plastic utensils, paper plates, feminine hygiene products, baby formula, food that doesn’t need to be cooked.
The Salvation Army Kentucky/Tennessee Division
The Johnson Bar, 133 S. 3rd St. Paducah, KY. 42001 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Roebling Point Books, 601 Overton Street, Newport, KY 41071
Newport Fire Department, 998 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071
Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 2941 Highland Lick Rd, Russellville, KY
Stepstone Family and Youth Services, 78 Caky Dr, Benton, KY, (270) 527-8388
First Baptist Church, 2890 Broadway St, Paducah, KY, (270) 442-2728
Marshall County Exceptional Center, 198 Old Symsonia Rd, Benton, KY, (270)252-6530
Akridge Farm Supply, 724 Fairview Ave, Eddyville, KY 42038, (270)388-2910 – Looking specifically for tarps and gas cans
Cave City Community Center (Senior Center), 105 Duke St, Cave City, KY 42127
Northside Baptist Church, 611 W Lockridge St, Mayfield, KY
Dry Ground Brewing Company, 3121 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001
Paducah Beer Werks, 301 N 4th St, Paducah, KY 42001
Louisville Donation Collection, 1011 Carlisle Ave, Louisville, KY 40215 (truck will deliver to western Kentucky on Sunday, Dec. 12.
Four Pegs Smokehouse and Bar, 1053 Goss Ave, Louisville, KY 40217
Jamestown City Park Batting Cages, 123 Park Ave, Jamestown, KY 42629 (drop off from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday through Thursday)
Russell Springs City Hall, 487 Main Street, Russell Springs, KY 42642 (drop off from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday)
Lone Oak Baptist Church, 3601 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY 42003
St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, 20 KY-339, Fancy Farm, KY 42039
Calvert City Civic Center, 991 5th Ave SE, Calvert City, KY 42029 (Drop off until 5 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 11 and Sunday Dec. 12)
Donate food
Hope 2 All Food Pantry, 307 W. Mose Rager Blvd. Drakesboro, KY 42337
Community Kitchen, 1237 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Paducah, KY
Volunteer
South Warren High School, 8140 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, (270) 467-7500
Bremen Volunteer Fire Department, 51 College St., Bremen, KY 42325
Catalyst Church, 114 Kings Dr., Mayfield, KY, (270) 356-1191
Bowling Green Community Action Center, 171 Center St, Bowling Green, KY, (270) 782-4437
Gasper Brewing Company, 302 State Street, Bowling Green, KY. – need volunteers to serve food
Mayfield City Hall, 211 E. Broadway, Mayfield, KY – Volunteers needed with drills
Support pets/stray animals in need
The Humane Society Animal Rescue & Response Team
Foster a pet or donate supplies! The following shelters are in critical need due to the tornadoes:
Refer community members in distress to these help lines
SAMHSA – Call or text 1-800-985-5990
Report Price Gouging
It’s illegal for retailers to bump up the prices of certain things during an emergency. If you see it happening you canreport it online or call 1-888-432-9257. Per the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, goods and services in this prohibition include: consumer food items; goods or services used for emergency cleanup; emergency supplies; medical supplies; home heating oil; building materials; housing; transportation, freight, and storage services; and gasoline or other motor fuels.
This is an evolving list of ways that community members can help in the disaster relief effort. This post will be updated.
