Area Red Cross still helping those affected by 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes

DAYTON — One year after the devastating Memorial Day tornadoes, the Miami Valley Chapter American Red Cross is still serving those affected by the storms as a member of the Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations Group.

“We have disaster case managers working with residents who have reported ongoing long-term needs,” Marita Salkowski, regional communications director, said this week.

In January, after all of the local Red Cross’s original cases were closed and all related parts of the initial disaster operation was shut down, remaining money raised through donations to the Midwest tornadoes and floods was dispersed, including to those in the Miami Valley whose homes were destroyed or received major damage.

In this second round of funding, the Red Cross provided additional financial assistance to more than 750 households in the greater Dayton area.

In the hours, days, weeks and months following the 2019 tornadoes, the Red Cross opened seven shelters for those whose homes were made unlivable by the devastation. All told, there were 1,781 overnight shelter stays.

Through four fixed feeding sites and nine mobile feeding sites, more than 12,049 meals were served.

A total of 1,929 comfort kits and 3, 571 cleanup and disaster kits were provided to affected residents.

More than 1,200 cases for financial assistance were opened, helping 3,888 residents.

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