Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Tornado relief streamlined
Ky. Wesleyan to reopen Tuesday
The Associated Press
OWENSBORO, Ky. — City officials are working with local service agencies on a streamlined system of relief that will make it easier for victims of the Jan. 3 tornado to get help and for volunteers to assist in the cleanup.
“Right now, we have more volunteers than jobs,” said George Betz, volunteer coordinator for the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross has closed an emergency shelter at the Owensboro Sportscenter for people displaced by the tornado. Most refugees have returned home or found alternative living arrangements.
Kentucky Wesleyan College remained without some electricity Tuesday, but officials announced that classes will resume next Tuesday. Residence halls will reopen Sunday at 2 p.m., and registration will take place Monday, school spokesman Roy Pickerill said.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities has restored power to the edge of the campus. When power returns, so will the college's phone system, said Don Hines, vice president for development and public relations at the college. Officials have only cell phones and some fax lines to make outgoing calls.
Damage to the college is estimated at $5 million. Mr. Hines said cleanup of storm debris is nearly finished. He estimated that the college lost about half its mature trees, although an exact number wasn't available.
Officials have centralized the distribution of donated goods that have been flowing into the area.
Nearly 1,000 people have received goods since the distribution center opened Sunday, said Meredith Snyder, disaster response consultant for Adventist Community Service.
A central warehouse has been established for agencies to restock their supplies.
The Red Cross received more than $500,000 in pledges during a telethon broadcast live Friday from the RiverPark Center.
Richard Remp-Morris, director of public relations for the Big Rivers Chapter of the Red Cross, said the agency has received about $128,177 in cash, some of which was pledged during the telethon.
The money is used to buy vouchers for victims to buy clothing and other needed items.
The Salvation Army has received about $25,000, which is used to buy supplies for victims. The city and county's Disaster Relief Fund has received $82,254.77, which is distributed through the Red Cross.
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