United States Eventing Association

Eventers Unite: How We Can Help Those Impacted by Tornado Damage in Kentucky

On the night of Friday, December 10th a tornado three-fourths of a mile wide ripped across 220 miles of the Midwest, causing devastation across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, and Kentucky. In the town of Mayfield, Kentucky, over 80 lives have been lost and many are left without homes, power, and water. The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) has spearheaded efforts to bring assistance and relief to animals impacted by the natural disaster. The KVMA has outlined different ways in which people can help, listed below:

Please do not go to visit the affected areas at this time. Emergency response officials need your cooperation to stay out of the areas until rescue operations and assessments are complete; many roads are still closed and most impacted areas are without power and water. While Mayfield was among the hardest hit, the storm raged over 200 miles in Kentucky. There is significant damage in eighteen (18) counties, with some of the worst destruction in Caldwell Co., Graves Co., Hopkins Co., Marshall Co., Muhlenberg Co., Taylor Co., and Warren Co. If you wish to help, there are some ways listed below. Please note that recovery from this event is going to be a long process with need for continued community support in the coming months.

Immediate Needs:

• If you qualify, please donate blood. Visit the Red Cross online @ https://www.redcrossblood.org/ to schedule an appointment today.
• If you would like to donate money, please donate to:
  • Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund @ https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief - 100% percent of dollars donated are going to help Kentucky communities impacted by these storms. The Fund will provide $5,000 to each victim’s family for funeral expenses; there is no need to apply as the state will be working to contact families. All additional funds will be used toward relief efforts.
  • Kentucky Agriculture Relief Fund @ gofundme.com/KyAgReliefFund. Please see the press release from KDA below this email to learn more about the KY Ag Relief Fund and KDA partners, the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Cooperative Extension.

Supply and Equipment Donations. Please check with the following organizations for supply drop-offs:

• Local Fire Stations
• Local Schools (many are coordinating “stuff the bus” drives)
• UK County Extension Offices in the following locations:
  • Caldwell County Extension Office, 1025 U. S. Hwy 62W, Princeton, KY; contact Shane Bogle @ Phone: (270) 365-2787 or [email protected]
  • Fulton County Extension Office, 2114 South Seventh St, Hickman, KY; contact Ben Rudy @ Phone: (270) 236-2351 or [email protected]
  • Graves County Extension Office, 4200 US Highway 45, Mayfield; contact Kelsey Chadwick @ Phone: (270)-247-2334 or [email protected]
  • Hickman County Extension Office, 329 James H Phillips Dr, Clinton, KY; contact John David Tucker @ Phone: (270) 653-2231 or [email protected]
  • Hopkins County Extension Office, 75 Cornwall Dr, Madisonville, KY; contact James Stone @ Phone: (270) 821-3650 or [email protected]
  • Lyon County Extension Office, 231 W Main St, Eddyville, KY; contact Susan Fox @ Phone: (270) 388-2341 or [email protected]
  • Marshall County Extension Office, 1933 Mayfield Hwy, Benton, KY; contact Nicole Rhein @ Phone: (270) 527-3285 or [email protected]
  • Muhlenberg Extension County Office, 3690 St Rte 1380, Central City, KY; contact Darrell Simpson @ Phone: (270) 338-3124 or [email protected]
  • Taylor County Extension Office, 1143 South Columbia Ave, Campbellsville, KY; contact Patrick Hardesty @ Phone: (270) 465-4511 or [email protected]
  • Warren County Extension Office, 5162 Russellville Rd, Bowling Green, KY; contact Joanna Coles @ Phone: (270) 842-1681 or [email protected]

Current supply needs:

• Storage bins and laundry baskets so people can store personal items recovered from the debris
• Tarps
• Dog and cat food
• Water
• Baby diapers
• Formula/food
• Common toiletries
• Blankets
• Fuel gift cards
• Flashlights
• Coats
• Hats
• Gloves

Important links from the KVMA and AVMA:

• AVMF Disaster Relief page - https://www.avmf.org/programs/disaster-relief/
• AVMA Disaster Preparedness Resources - https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/disaster-preparedness
• AVMF Disaster Relief Grant Programs - https://www.avmf.org/programs/disaster-relief/
• Disaster Business Continuity Certificate Program - https://axon.avma.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=178

Important announcements from the Kentucky Governor’s Office:

• There are 64 confirmed deaths at this point, with 18 people still unidentified.
• 105 people remain unaccounted for.
• Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 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 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
• Kentucky State Parks in the area are now open to host families who need housing for at least two weeks. Volunteers who are willing to assist state parks staff housing distressed guests should contact Kentucky State Parks Division Director Andy Kasitz at [email protected].
• Both Department for Community Based Services locations in Mayfield/Graves County suffered damage and cannot serve the public at this time. A mobile unit has been requested. Until the mobile unit is ready, those who need help may call 855-306-8959, or they may apply for help online on the kynect site. The URL is kynect.ky.gov. Starting today, a special queue is in place for people needing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP.
• Any family members of missing loved ones should report to the office building of His House Ministries to provide a reference standard to law enforcement for identification purposes. His House Ministries is located at 1250 KY-303 in Mayfield. Anyone who needs assistance in getting to His House Ministries can call 859-267-7775.