Providing Relief to Kentucky Tornado Victims

In the wake of the deadly tornado that ravaged western Kentucky in December, AARP assisted with relief efforts and provided critical information on how to get or offer aid to those affected.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) called the storm the “worst tornado disaster the state has ever seen,” killing 77 people and destroying hundreds of homes.

AARP Foundation donated $1 million to local nonprofits that provided food, shelter and other necessities to Kentuckians.

“Older adults affected by disasters are especially at risk, and their rebuilding and recovery process is a long one,” says Charlotte Whittaker, 72, of Hartford, AARP Kentucky’s volunteer state president.

If you need tornado relief, go to aarp.org/kytornado for a list of agencies with information on shelter, food and other resources. To prepare for weather disasters,  have an emergency “grab-n-go bag.” Find suggestions of what to include at ready.gov/kit.