How to donate, volunteer to help Somerset tornado victims

SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — After several days of severe weather and widespread destruction, southern Kentucky is in the clear this morning to continue its cleanup efforts. It’s a task that community members said demands time and help.

200 buildings were destroyed here in Pulaski County, and as people start the long road to recovery, officials are calling on their fellow Kentuckians to not let them do it alone.

As the storms first hit, the Somerset-Pulaski County special response team started with initial response and recovery, trying to get to help people and then set up an incident command post. But now the team is calling on the help of the community to collect and distribute supplies to those in need.

Donation organizers said they’re looking for anything from cleaning supplies to trash bags to water bottles. Somerset-Pulaski County Special Response Chief Steve Woods says the community has stepped up to serve one another during this devastating time, noting that the help needs to continue further out than a week or two after the tragic tornado.

“We’re blessed. The community and volunteers are incredible with the support that we’re getting from everybody involved,” said Chief Woods. “The biggest problem that I see is everybody helps the first couple days. But we need to keep this going for the next few weeks. So, trying to be ready for that.”

City leaders said they are asking for volunteers to help with clean-up efforts. Anyone looking to donate can drop off supplies between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the Somerset-Pulaski County special response headquarters.

Pulaski County Emergency Management Director Chris Mason says that multiple law enforcement agencies have come in to help from all over the state. He adds that while nothing could have prepared residents for what came through on Friday, a command center was set up at the Pulaski County area technology center to help better the county’s response. Mason says it’s a crucial resource that will help protect people.

“It was pretty devastating. But, I think, in light of some of the stuff I saw around the rest of the state, I think we were pretty blessed,” said Mason. “Things like this, I think, are going to help us just get that much stronger and be that much more prepared so that as events like this happen, we can, you know, respond even more effectively.”

So far, US 27 is still blocked off to community members, and utility crews are working to get power restored for business owners to assess their damage. Mason also adds that the FEMA process will take time because they are still working on damage from the floods earlier this year.