Midwest USA tornadoes
A series of spring tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma has left many communities devastated—and more storms are predicted. Habitat for Humanity is assessing the impact on housing across the affected areas and will assist with cleanup, repairs and new construction efforts as need and available resources become clearer.
Volunteer opportunities:
Habitat is actively working to determine the needs of these communities and hosting capacity of our local partners before placing volunteers for this response. You can contact our Affiliate Support Center to register your individual or group volunteering interest at 877-HFHI-HELP (877-434-4435) or USSupportCenter@habitat.org. You can also sign up to receive updates on response and recovery volunteer opportunities related to the tornadoes and other disasters across the nation through our Disaster Volunteers Newsletter.
 Kay and Gary Jones comfort each other as they say goodbye to their home of 28 years. Photo by Ezra Millstein/Habitat for Humanity International |
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Oklahoma Tornado
From initial reports, current Habitat for Humanity homeowners seem to have come unscathed through the tornado system that devastated parts of the Oklahoma City area Monday, May 20, 2013. But much work lies ahead for Habitat affiliates serving damaged areas.
- Official press release: Habitat for Humanity will assist tornado-devastated Moore, Okla., community with cleanup, repairs and new home construction
- Habitat stories:
- Habitat affiliates assisting in storm aftermath
- Oklahoma Habitat affiliates organizing weekend volunteer projects
- Habitat staffer still grateful after losing home to Oklahoma tornado
- In a disaster zone, building up starts by tearing down
- Habitat volunteers pitch in to clear the way for rebuilding
- Photo slide show:
- Video:
 An F-4 tornado on the evening of May 15, 2013, damaged 57 out of 60 Habitat homes in the Granbury, Texas area. |
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Granbury, Texas, Tornado
Several tornadoes ripped through Texas during the night on May 15, 2013, including one that struck a community in the Granbury area, where up to 120 homes were damaged or destroyed in a neighborhood that included 60 Habitat for Humanity houses. Fifty-seven of the 60 homes were either damaged or destroyed.
Habitat for Humanity is on the scene to lend a hand.
“Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Response team has mobilized resources and will work alongside the first responders, volunteers and Habitat affiliates in the area. Our goal is to help families return home as soon as possible and to help the community recover,” said Kip Scheidler, senior director of Global Disaster Response at Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.
Related content:
- Official press release: Habitat for Humanity announces $5 million fundraising effort to rebuild Texas communities devastated by tornadoes
- Habitat stories:
- ‘We built it before; we’ll build it again’
- Gamez, Part 1: Family rides out tornado in closet
- Gamez, Part 2: Family returns to find chaos, bit of joy
- ‘God was with us that day’
- Tornado takes dream home three days before family moves in
- Resolute family will see Habitat home rise from Texas tornado rubble
- 'It's worse than I even thought'
- Owners of Habitat's 50,000th U.S. house cope with loss
- 22 of Habitat’s 60 homes in Rancho Brazos total losses
- Photo slide shows:
- Video:
- In their own words: Homeowners and helpers discuss the storm
- Ruth Zapata sings the song she sang to comfort her family the night a tornado ripped through her Texas neighborhood. See more.
- From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
