While the March 16, 2023, disaster assistance application deadline has passed, there is still help available for survivors of Alabama’s Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
Survivors have the following resources:
Alabama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster — The Long-Term Recovery Committees/Groups are made up of concerned community members working to assist individuals and families as they recover from a disaster. Currently, there are active Long-Term Recovery Groups in Autauga/Elmore, Coosa, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Mobile, Morgan and Tallapoosa counties.
Call 2-1-1 for Unmet Needs — 2-1-1 connects you to a trained operator 24/7 that has access to a comprehensive database with a multitude of services in your community. By its design, the 2-1-1 system is ideally suited for serving as the initial contact point for any variety of programs. 2-1-1 is designed to assist families from all walks of life, including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income households by facilitating access to public services.
You also may text your zip code to 898-211 and message one of the live 2-1-1 specialists for help.
Survivors may also call 888 421-1266 for unmet needs.
Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless (ARCH) — ARCH is providing housing assistance, including emergency housing. ARCH can be reached at 334-273-0668 or visit the website at, http://www.archconnection.org/.
American Red Cross — The American Red Cross can be reached at 800-733-2767.
Legal Services Alabama — Legal Services Alabama is offering free legal clinics for people struggling to recover from storm damage and in need of disaster relief legal aid. The Selma office is located at 801 Alabama Ave., Suite 100, Selma, AL 36701. You can visit another office or call the Disaster Relief Hotline at 877-393-2333 for assistance.
Safe Harbor Women’s Medical Clinic — The Safe Harbor Women’s Medical Clinic may have resources available including baby supplies (wipes, diapers, formula, new cups and bottles, new blankets, new clothes, toiletries and medicine) and feminine products. The clinic is located at 408 Dallas Ave., Selma, AL 36701 or call 344-875-8900.
The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation — The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation may provide plywood, building supplies and social community meetings and meals. The center is located at 8 Mulberry Rd., Selma, AL 36703. Survivors may call the center at 334-526-4539 or visit the website at https://www.selmacenterfornonviolence.org/
Edmundite Missions Bosco Nutrition Center — The center may have resources including, towels, hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste), new underwear (all sizes), baby diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products. The center is located at 1107B Griffin Ave., Selma, AL 36703.
Catholic Social Ministries — The Ministries is helping with utility and housing assistance and medication. The Ministries is located at 1107 Griffin Ave., Selma, AL 36703.
Catholic Social Services of West Alabama — The Catholic Social Services of West Alabama is helping with utility, housing, food, transportation, and medication assistance. Catholic Social Services is located at 608 James I Harrison Jr. Pwky E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 or can be reached at 205-759-1268.
Gospel Tabernacle Church — The Gospel Tabernacle Church may provide personal hygiene, tarps, toiletries, blankets and water. They are also delivering hot meals. The Gospel Tabernacle Church is located at 2300 Summerfield Rd., Selma, AL 36701, or survivors may call 334-876-0915.
Guadalupian Multicultural Services Eutaw — The Guadalupian Multicultural Services Eutaw may assist with emergency disaster relief services and support to the Hispanic community for community resources, social services, case management and language assistance. The Guadalupian Multicultural Services Eutaw is located at 331 Boligee St., Eutaw, AL 35462 or survivors may call 205-372-3497.
Temple Gate SDA Church — The church may provide food, household goods, cleaning supplies and small appliances daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1601 Franklin St., Selma, AL 36702.
Rockford Baptist Church — The Rockford Baptist Church is providing food and cleaning supplies. The Church is located at 9575 U.S. Highway 231, Rockford AL 35136 or survivors may call 256-377-4900.
Bridgeways Alabama — Bridgeway is operating a community clothing closet in Coosa County. Bridgeways Alabama is located at 9922 Highway 231, Rockford, AL 35136. Survivors may also call 813-363-0495.
Family Counseling Service — The Family Counseling Service may offer counseling services, including in-person and telehealth for families, parents and individuals. Survivors may visit https://www.counselingservice.org or call
205-752-2504.
Good Samaritan Clinic — The Good Samaritan Clinic may provide primary health and dental care, information and referrals for low income and medically uninsured individuals in West Alabama. The clinic is located at 3880 Watermelon Rd., Northport, AL 35473, visit https://www.gsclinic.org or individuals may call 205-343-2212.
Durable Medical Equipment — If your medical equipment or consumable medical supplies were lost or damaged due to the Jan. 12 storms, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Other Resources — FEMA is connecting survivors with resources to help them through the recovery process and is providing equal access to FEMA programs. If you need assistance with the recovery process, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Property Owners and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program — When a major disaster is declared, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding may be available to help homeowners rebuild their homes stronger than they were before the disaster. Mitigation activities help a community to build back better, safer, and stronger in order to reduce the risk of future damage from natural hazards.
As an individual, you cannot apply directly for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding. You will need to work with your local community as they develop an HMGP grant proposal. Discuss the hazards impacting your property and plans to mitigate with your local community leaders, planners, and engineers.
Food Banks
Feeding the Gulf Coast — Feeding the Gulf Coast is located at 5248 Mobile S St., Theodore, AL 36582, or visit their website at https://www.feedingthegulfcoast.org/.
Food Bank of East Alabama - The Food Bank of East Alabama is located at 355 Industry Drive, Auburn, AL 36832. You can call 334-821-9006 or visit their website https://foodbankofeastalabama.com .
Montgomery Area Food Bank – Montgomery Area Food Bank is located at 521 Trade Center Street, Montgomery, AL 36108. Call 334-263-3784 or visit their website at https://mafb.org .
West Alabama Food Bank — The West Alabama Food Bank is located at 401 65th St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. The West Alabama Food Bank can be reached at 205-333-5353 or their website https://westalabamafoodbank.org/.
Selma Area Food Bank — The Selma Area Food Bank may supply emergency food and water and any other necessities they may have on hand to the victims of a disaster. The Selma Area Food Bank is located at, 101 Craig Industrial Park Ave C, Selma AL 36703. You can visit their website at https://www.selmafoodbank.com/ or by call 334-872-4111.
Disaster Relief Funds
Selma Recovery Funds, in partnership with Blackbelt Community Foundation is supporting the citizens of Selma. To donate visit, https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/selma-recovery-fund.
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) — In partnership with United Way of Selma and Dallas County, The UWCA has launched a secure and trusted donation site that will serve victims of the tornado that tore through Selma. To donate, visit https://www.uwca.org/selma/.
Black Belt Community Foundation — The Black Belt Community Foundation is supporting communities through the Black Belt Region. To donate, visit https://blackbeltfound.org/2023-disaster-relief-funds/
Central Alabama Community Foundation — The foundation is supporting several disaster reliefs funds. To donate, visit https://cacfinfo.org/
Dallas County Disaster Relief Fund — The Fund is supporting citizens of Dallas County. To donate, visit https://cacfinfo.org/give/dallas-county-disaster-relief-fund/
Lake Martin Area United Way (Tornado Relief) – The Lake Martin Area United Way is supporting Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties. To donate, visit https://www.unitedwaylakemartin.org/tornado-relief-jan-2023
Keep in Touch
Stay in Touch with FEMA — Survivors in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Mobile, Morgan, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties who applied for disaster assistance following the Jan. 12 storms should stay in touch with FEMA. The easiest way to update your application, check your status or provide new or missing information is to create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov, or you may use the FEMA app for smartphones, or call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.