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Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Resource Center

After the Storm…Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers created this page to help those in need from the recent tornado and provide information for all our neighbors who want to donate.

This is a combined, up-to-date list of organizations and locations that are providing ways for those in our local community to help.

Warren County residents and businesses who have sustained losses can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. You may also register in person at the American Red Cross shelter located at Jennings Creek Elementary.

Additional resources can be found on Governor Andy Beshear’s website at governor.ky.gov/tornadoresources and the We Are BG Strong website.

What’s In This Guide:

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Kentucky State Police: Interested volunteers may call (270) 331-1979
  • Cleanup volunteers: those with tools and equipment will stage at the WKU Center for Research & Development (old Bowling Green Mall) at 2413 Nashville Road. These volunteers will be directed to damaged areas that are not restricted due to ongoing search and utility work. It is preferable that volunteers bring their own tools if they can!
  • Trained Rescue Volunteers: Experienced/trained law enforcement, emergency responders, military, etc. can call (270) 393-4116 to be connected with the Bowling Green Fire Department, or will be vetted onsite at the BGFD Command Vehicle at Jennings Creek Elementary. Please do not call BGFD stations directly

Important Cleanup Information

  • Please separate natural debris piles (tree limbs, branches) from building material or household materials and place at curb. The debris must be separated as it has to be handled differently for disposal. Be sure to use ONLY contractors licensed by our local Contractors Licensing Board! More info to follow.
  • Always assume power lines are energized. As utility workers work to restore power and lines are replaced, you may not realize that lines are active. Any line, guide wire, or pole that is entangled with debris of any kind needs to be handled by a utility worker. Utility workers are working long hours and every day to restore power – please be patient.
  • All debris should be placed on curbside and separated into piles of:
    • Appliances & White Goods (Air Conditioners, Dishwashers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Stoves, Washers, Dryers, and Water Heaters)
    • Vegetative Debris (Leaves not in bags, Logs, Plants, Tree Branches)
    • Construction & Demolition Debris (Building materials, Carpet, Drywall, Furniture, Lumber, Mattresses, Plumbing)

Donation Opportunities

  • Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund: The fund, created by Governor Andy Beshear, is collecting donations for Western Kentucky victims.
  • The Salvation Army Western KY Disaster Relief: The Salvation Army uses 100% of all donations to support disaster relief.
  • Warren County Public Schools Disaster Relief Fund: Independence Bank has set up the WCPS Synergy Relief Fund through GoFundMe. They are also accepting donations in-person at all of their branches.
  • Toys for Tots: Visit their website or toys can be delivered to Bowling Green Fire Department
  • Bowling Green Parks & Rec: BG Parks & Rec has partnered with the American Red Cross to raise money to help people in our community who are need due to the recent storms. All money raised will stay in this community. They will be selling “Tornado Victim Relief Effort” Squares for a $1 each.  Each square will have the buyer’s name on it and will be displayed in the Fitness facility. In addition, Hobson Golf Course/Driving Range and Crosswinds Golf Course will be gathering donations for the Red Cross as well.
  • RefugeBG: Text ‘GIVE’ to (502) 230-9464 for RefugeBG (assistance to refugee/immigrant families impacted).

Drop Off Locations

  • Lowe’s in Bowling Green will receive building materials, cleanup tools, and equipment, etc.
  • Medical Center Warehouse at 350 High Rail Way Bowling Green, KY 42101 will receive any donation, including non-perishable food and drink items.
  • Greenwood Mall (Former Sears Store): All donations are to be delivered to the temporary FEMA location at 2625 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green.

Overnight Shelters

  • Plum Springs Baptist Church

Day Shelters

  • The Foundry is open Monday through Thursday of this week and the next, and will open its doors to families in need of a place to go and relax. From 2 to 6 p.m. on those days, the gym will be open with inflatables, and food will be provided in the lobby area. Crafts and other activities will also be available for kids. Their address is 531 W 11th Avenue in Bowling Green.
  • Kummer Little Recreation Center will be open all week from 7am-8pm. Kummer Little has shower facilities available, as well as transportation to Jennings Creek.
  • CrossFit Old School, located at 512 College Street, is offering day shelter and shower facilities for victims.
  • Bowling Green Christian Church (1912 Smallhouse Road) is open from 10am-8pm and has shower facilities available.

Blood Drives

  • Visit bloodassurance.org and type in your zip code for updated locations and to schedule an appointment.
  • The American Red Cross also has several drives and locations in the Bowling Green area. Visit www.redcrossblood.org/give to find a location near you.

Business Assistance

Fema Assistance – Business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance in one of the following ways:

  1. Register ONLINE at disasterassistance.gov
  2. CALL 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585  (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians); The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 AM to 10 PM (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
  3. IN-PERSON at Greenwood Mall (Former Sears Store) at the temporary FEMA location at 2625 Scottsville Road.

FEMA eligibility Information available here: Designated Areas | FEMA.gov

Additional Business Assistance Resources:

  • Small Business Administration: SBA will located with FEMA in the former Sears store in the Greenwood Mall at 2625 Scottsville Road.
  • Small Business Recovery: Small business owners, check out the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Small Business Recovery Guide.
  • South Central Workforce Development Board: The SCWDB is working closely with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet and US Department of Labor to secure additional resources for disaster-related unemployment insurance and technical training /re-skilling.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration Loans: For impacted businesses here is the fact sheet for SBA assistance. Visit their website for more information.
  • WKU Center for Research & Development (2413 Nashville Road, 42101): Providing space for dislocated businesses (non-retail). Please call Jeff Hook at (270) 901-3490 Ext. 2.

Christian County Assistance

Hopkins County Assistance

  • Those who wish to volunteer or donate to those affected by the storm should contact the Hopkins County EMA Hotline at (888) 782-9090 or visit their website. Calls will be taken from 8am-5pm.
  • The West Kentucky Work Force website has additional resources to help those affected in Hopkins County.

Logan County Assistance

Volunteer

  • Contact the following for information on how to volunteer in Logan County
    • Chandlers School – (270) 542-4139
    • Russellville Rural Fire Department – (270) 726-7236
    • Agape – (270) 726-7109

Donation Locations

  • Logan County High School
  • Chandlers Elementary School
  • Lewisburg Elementary School
  • Oak Grove Baptist Church
  • Walnut Grove Baptist Church
  • Kirby Funeral Services
  • Agape
  • Russellville Rural Fire Department

Muhlenberg County Assistance

Author Photo

Flora Templeton Stuart

Flora Templeton Stuart is the lead attorney and founder of the law firm Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers, established in 1976. She is a nationally recognized personal injury lawyer with over 40 years of experience. Her story has been featured on Fox, The New York Times, ABC, Time, and NBC.