When you live in Texas, you expect extreme weather. Ice storms, scorching afternoons, heavy rain, and the list goes on. Last night was one of those extreme weather events. A tornado severely damaged our neighborhoods and businesses. Those of us that didn’t receive damage are the lucky ones. But, as always, the DFW community is stepping up to help our neighbors recover. The Dallas Morning News has created an ongoing list of DFW area organizations getting aid to the community and keeping that list up to date, so we can help, too.
What D-FW organizations are doing to help those affected by the Dallas tornado
The city has been assessing damage since Sunday evening as tens of thousands are left without power.
As the sunrises, homeowners emerge to survey damage from a tornado the night before near Northcrest Road and Crestline Avenue in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer)
By Dom DiFurio
1:00 PM on Oct 21, 2019
This post will continue to be updated with new details as they emerge. Contact Dom DiFurio at ddifurio@dallasnews.com with information on aid efforts in the aftermath of Sunday’s storms.
Organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area are preparing to assist those who were in the path of the tornado that left a trail of devastation across northern Dallas late Sunday.
More than 99,000 people were without power after the storms moved through, according to the latest details from Oncor.
Below are updates on aid efforts for Dallas resident who have been impacted by the tornado.
North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank is currently assessing the impact of last night’s storms on North Texas residents and their partner agencies.
“We are collaborating with our partners at Salvation Army and American Red Cross to be ready to supply food and water as needed,” a spokesperson for the food bank said.
Food pantries near impacted residents can be found on the North Texas Food Bank’s website. You can also follow the food bank on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
The Salvation Army
Salvation Army crews provide water, gatorade and snacks to first responders and resident affected by Sunday evening’s tornado in North Dallas.(Courtesy of The Salvation Army)
The Salvation Army of North Texas is currently accepting donations for those affected by natural disasters on its website. The organization’s disaster trucks are roving the affected North Texas neighborhoods serving meals and drinks. Salvation Army’s three disaster trucks are currently in the Preston Rd./Royal Ln. area and the Walnut Hill Rd./Marsh Ln. area of Northwest Dallas, and another is in Ellis County.
Salvation Army crews have been working through the night after the tornado moved through Dallas. Disaster crews served coffee, water, Gatorade, energy bars, and snacks to first responders and affected residents at the Salvation Army’s incident command site on Walnut Hill near Harry Hines Blvd.
“They were so grateful,” the Salvation Army’s on-site lead Stephen Thomas said in a statement, “We just kept serving.
State Farm
State Farm is encouraging those affected by the tornado to start their claims process as soon as they can and has deployed its catastrophe team on the ground in Dallas as debris is being cleared from communities.
“You certainly don’t want to interfere with any emergency response that’s still occurring,” State Farm spokesperson Chris Pilcic said.
The insurance provider declined to provide estimates on damage but had received hundreds of claims by late Monday morning, according to the spokesperson.
Customers cam start the claim process by contacting their agent or by calling 1-800-SFCLAIM. They can also use the State Farm Mobile App or report the claim online.
Alamo Drafthouse
Dine-in movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse is offering free PG-rated movies at its Las Colinas, Lake Highlands and Richardson locations for residents affected by the tornado. The theater also offered to allow those without power to charge their phones at its locations.
Our theaters were fortunate to not be affected by last night’s storms, however many of our neighbors weren’t as lucky….
Posted by Alamo Drafthouse Dallas / Fort Worth on Monday, October 21, 2019
U-Haul
Six U-Haul companies are offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box containers to Dallas residents affected by the tornado and severe weather, according to a release from U-Haul. In total the companies have made 52 locations across North Texas available for its 30-day free disaster relief assistance program including locations nearby affected areas off of Central Expressway.
“The storm hit quickly and has left many residents scrambling to find a place to store their belongings,” U-Haul Company of North East Dallas president Zane Rowland said in a statement. “U-Haul is stepping up to offer our neighbors a place to securely store their things during the clean-up process at no charge for one month.”
U-Haul recommends contacting your nearest North Texas U-Haul facility for more information.
On The Road Lending
Dallas-based nonprofit On The Road Lending is also offering its Disaster Mobility Program services to Dallas residents who are without transportation after Sunday evening’s storms.
The nonprofit, which helps displaced workers defer normal requirements and can even assist with down payments and loan approval, is reaching out to partners to make sure its services are available to those affected, according to spokesperson Debby Hanson.
On The Road Lending is a resource for those who have lost vehicles to natural disasters or other life crises that have the potential to displace workers. It’s been supported in the past by institutions like J.P. Morgan and Toyota. The nonprofit most recently assisted Hurricane Harvey victims who had lost cars due to flooding and storm damage, according to the company.
Be sure to check back with the Dallas Morning News on their website or social media accounts for updates
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