City of BG updates on tornado efforts
Bowling Green, KY – While communications remain difficult due to various outages in Warren County, emergency response and power restoration is ongoing in Bowling Green and Warren County. The city is currently unable to update www.bgky.org so we are utilizing social media and traditional media to communicate the following information.
As announced by Governor Andy Beshear, starting today, residents and business owners who sustained losses in WARREN COUNTY can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians)
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY DAMAGE (Residents or Business):
- Please register with the American Red Cross. This can be done in person at Jennings Creek Elementary. An online portal will soon be established.
- Shelter is available, both overnight and during the day as follows:
- Two overnight shelters are currently available: American Red Cross has a shelter at Jennings Creek Elementary School and the Bowling Green Jaycees has one at SOKY Fairgrounds. The SOKY Fair location will accept residents with pets. Both have food and beds available.
- Kummer Little Recreation Center will be open all this week from 7 am to 8 pm for anyone needing a place to get out of weather, charge phones, etc. Transportation may be provided from there to the overnight shelters.
- 2-1-1 is prepared to direct you to other resources
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LOVED ONE FROM OUT OF TOWN:
Call 270-393-4116 to inquire
IF YOU ARE OUT OF POWER:
BGMU has mapped out the accounts still without power and is working with multiple crews from several communities from KY, TN and GA to restore poles and lines as quickly as possible.
IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY BGMU FIBER OUTAGE:
A major fiber trunk line on Russellville Road was lost yesterday and crews are working to reinstall. It could be another 36 hours or more before the fiber is functioning again. Repair crews are also enroute to assist with repair of six smaller segments.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP
VOLUNTEER EFFORTS
Beginning at noon today, cleanup volunteers with tools and equipment are staging at the WKU Center for Research & Development (old Bowling Green Mall) at 2413 Nashville Road. These volunteers will be directed to only damage areas that not restricted due to ongoing search and utility work.
**TRAINED Rescue Volunteers (experience/trained law enforcement, emergency responders, military or others) can call 270-393-4116 to be connected with BGFD or will be vetted onsite at the BGFD Command Vehicle at Jennings Creek Elementary.
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE:
MONETARY DONATIONS ARE VERY NEEDED:
- Independence Bank: WCPS Synergy Relief Fund
- www.uswk.org: Tornado Crisis & Recovery Fund
- Text GIVE to 502-230-9464 BG Tornado Donations for RefugeBG (assistance to refugee/immigrant families impacted)
- Stuffthebusky.com/donate Stuff the Bus Foundation
IN KIND DONATIONS:
- Lowe’s in Bowling Green will receive building materials, cleanup tools and equipment, etc.
- Medical Center Warehouse at 350 High Rail Way until 4 pm
IMPORTANT FOR CLEANUP:
Please separate natural debris (tree limbs, branches) piles from building material or household materials and place at curb. This debris must be separated, as it has to be handled differently for disposal. **IF YOU GET IT TO THE CURB, OUR LOCAL RECOVERY WORKERS WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE
Be sure to use ONLY contractors licensed by our local Contractors Licensing Board! More info will follow.
SAFETY
Assume power lines are energized. As utility workers work to restore power and lines are replaced, you may not realize lines are active. Any line, guide wire or pole that is entangled with debris of any kind needs to be handled by a utility worker.
Our community remains grateful to the outpouring of support from agencies, organizations and individuals from across our region and the nation. We are #BGStrong.
