DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS REVEAL A HUGE NEED FOR RESOURCES TO HELP SURVIVORS REBUILD
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS FROM THE CENTRAL TEXAS TORNADOES REVEAL A HUGE NEED FOR RESOURCES TO HELP SURVIVORS REBUILD
Austin, Texas, March 31, 2022 – The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) estimates that residents impacted by the Central Texas Tornadoes will need at least $2,000,000 in financial support to rebuild and recover from the devastating storms. ADRN Volunteers have met with nearly 300 families so far to assess emergency and long-term needs. They will meet with more people impacted by the tornadoes in the Elgin and Bastrop County area next week at a Survivor Intake Center, and they continue to hear from residents through the ADRN Disaster Survivor Hotline. ADRN has distributed about $65,000 in emergency funds already, but tornado survivors will need a lot more help to repair and rebuild their homes.
“Some of our neighbors lost everything, and many do not have insurance, have major gaps in their coverage, or can’t afford their deductibles” said ADRN Executive Director Daniel Geraci. “They’re looking to us and to the Greater Austin Community for help so they can have a clean and safe place to live once again. We’ve also heard from families who’ve lost vehicles, renters who can’t return to their homes because of severe damage and need help relocating, and homeowners who need furniture and other supplies once their homes are repaired. We hear from more people every day, and it will take a lot more resources than we currently have to get them the support they need.”
So far, ADRN’s Central Texas Tornadoes Relief Fund has raised about $150,000 to help tornado survivors, a number far short of the requests for help that have already come in. ADRN leaders call on businesses, organizations, and the general community to rally around their neighbors in crisis and provide the resources needed to help them get back on their feet.
Donations to the Relief Fund can be made at donate.adrn.org/ctxtornadoes. Businesses and foundations who want to support the effort with matching funds can contact the Donor Ministries department at dm@adrntx.org
SURVIVOR INTAKE CENTER OPENS IN ELGIN NEXT WEEK
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) will open a two-day survivor intake center in Elgin next week to offer relief to those impacted by the outbreak of tornadoes on March 21, 2022. Volunteers will offer emergency supplies and funds in the form of gift cards as well as teams to meet with survivors and help them take their first steps towards recovery.
The Intake Center will take place at the First Baptist Church Elgin at 205 W 2 nd Street, Elgin, TX:
-Tuesday, April 5, 11 am to 7 pm
– Wednesday, April 6, 11 am to 7 pm
Survivors seeking ADRN assistance will need to bring a photo id, a copy of a recent utility bill, and photos of the damage to their homes including their residence’s address number. Survivors can also call the Disaster Survivor Hotline at 512-806-0800 for information and assistance
ABOUT ADRN
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization comprised of more than 190
Greater Austin Area churches and thousands of trained volunteers. ADRN’s network enables church members
to organize, prepare and respond quickly in the event of a disaster, large or small. ADRN network churches,
volunteers, business partners, local agencies, and community organizations provide in-kind and monetary
donations and additional volunteer assistance that enables ADRN to fund the rebuild/repair of survivor homes
and provide immediate assistance to those in crisis. Learn more at ADRN.org.