Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
One year ago today, an EF2 tornado touched down in north Tulsa leaving behind widespread power outages, downed trees and hundreds of residents with home damages.
Following the tornado, the Tulsa Area Long Term Recovery Committee was created to help uninsured homeowners with home repairs and help survivors with food, clothing and any other needs.
“When it comes to an event of this magnitude, it truly takes a village to bring a variety of resources together to help individuals and families with different needs,” Linda Johnston, Tulsa Area Long Term Recovery Committee Chair said. “I am thrilled to say that one year later, close to 140 cases received by the committee have been closed bringing the majority of tornado victims closure from this life-changing event.”
A few examples of initial recovery efforts included a temporary shelter established by the Red Cross at the Antioch Baptist Church, mass feedings for survivors by the Salvation Army, and a special debris removal collection and street sweeping coordinated by the City of Tulsa at no cost to the community.
Long-term recovery efforts were tasked to the Tulsa Area Long Term Recovery Committee. Catholic Charities of Tulsa and Tulsa County Social Services partnered together to provide case management for the tornado survivors and the City of Tulsa’s Working In Neighborhoods Department assisted with the coordination of approximately 70 contracted emergency home repairs due to storm damage.
The work continues for tornado survivors as recovering from a disaster is never an easy or fast process. But local businesses, residents, and volunteers are dedicated to restoring the community as it once was before. The City of Tulsa would like to thank the many community members, organizations and partners for your help to build a more resilient Tulsa.
Tulsa Area Long Term Recovery Committee
American Red Cross, Antioch Baptist Church, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tulsa, City of Tulsa, Disaster Resilience Network, Episcopal Disaster Recovery, Family & Children’s Services, Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, Legal Aid of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma United Methodist Church – Disaster Response, Oklahoma Emergency Management, Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, OU Physicians-Tulsa, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Rebuilding Together Tulsa, Restore Hope Ministries, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa Community Foundation, Tulsa County and the Tulsa Health Department.
