Tornado survivor community meeting to be held Sunday evening
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Coosa County’s Long Term Recovery Committee is hosting a community meeting for the January 12 tornado survivors and first responders on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. at the Rockford Event Center.
Numerous families and individuals are still battling with the long-lasting impacts of the January tornado that crossed southern Coosa County, with many still needing home repairs and other things done. This meeting will give survivors the opportunity to get information and have questions answered to help them navigate their various situations.
Invitations were sent out to survivors for whom the committee had contact information, and others impacted by the tornado are also welcome to join the meeting. At the local level there will also be representation from the County Commission and first responders, as well.
Informational handouts will be available at the meeting from the USDA, FEMA and others, and there will also be special tables set up for other designees, such as for pastors offering personal counseling appointments, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and others who will be present with information and to speak with survivors.
Additionally, cumulative information for survivors will be printed and available at the end of the meeting, with those being given out at the door as they leave. This is to help ensure survivors have as much information as available, as well as information for resources that can help during this time.
Some of the tornado survivors have submitted questions, and those will either be answered aloud during the meeting or via information available on the informational handout. At the meeting there will also be a question box or boxes in which survivors can write down and insert any questions they still have.
During the meeting, each agency that responded immediately after the January 12 will also be recognized and shown appreciation for their response and assistance.
A Zoom link will also be provided for those who are unable to attend the meeting in person, but would like to participate. Those planning to attend in person or participate via Zoom are asked to RSVP to CoosaLTR@gmail.com.
The Rockford Event Center is located at 333 School Street, the former school gym across from the Sheriff’s Office.
The Long Term Recovery Committee, which was formed with assistance by the Governors Office of Volunteer Services in response to the January 12 tornadoes, has continued to hold monthly meetings and is discussing fundraiser ideas to help raise needed funds to help survivors during ongoing efforts. During a recent meeting, UMCOR reported that at this time there are five homes in the Equality area that will possibly have to be completely rebuilt because of the significant damage they received.
Additionally, the committee is looking into resources to provide assistance for senior tornado survivors, such as the East Alabama Area Agency on Aging. Some of the needs expressed by senior citizens impacted by the tornado include cleaning up yards, making modifications to homes, assistance with the application processes, and more.
For more information, contact the Coosa County Long Term Recovery Committee via email to CoosaLTR@gmail.com.