MARC disaster relief set up in Smithville

March 13--After a destructive storm last week, a multi-agency resource center was opened in Smithville, Missouri, to assist victims affected by a tornado.

On Monday, March 6, an EF-2 tornado that was as wide as 1,000 yards, traveled about 19 miles from Smithville to Lathrop, boasting winds of 132 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Smithville Mayor Brian Fullmer said that around 280 volunteers took to the streets after the storm to help their neighbors in need who had taken damage to their homes and property.

"There were about 50 to 60 homes affected with some sort of damage," Fullmer said. "There were about eight homes that are currently uninhabitable, meaning that they were destroyed or they're to a point where you can't live in them."

The American Red Cross said that around 100 homes are now considered uninhabitable in the area that the storm hit.

The resource center was set up at Good Shepard Catholic Church and served as a means to help victims find everything they may need in one place.

Disaster Resiliency Director for Catholic Charities Aren Koenig said that the MARC was a good starting point for those who survived the storm.

"It provides a one-stop-shop for disaster survivors to come get assistance from government agencies, non-profits, faith based organizations and other partners who have assistance to provide to them," Koenig said.

She said Catholic Charities is providing long-term recovery programs to help get displaced people back into their communities.

"We want to make sure that individuals return home to their communities and are able to live in a sustainable fashion," Koenig said.

Aside from Catholic Charities, the Missouri Department of Insurance, the Salvation Army, Children's Disaster Services and more were at the church to provide services.

There also were donated items such as blankets, toys, toiletries, food and bottled water that were free to take.

The American Red Cross said they met with over 20 families affected by the tornado at the event.

Government Liaison for the American Red Cross Joann Woody said that their goal was to make sure that everyone in the community had their immediate needs met.

"The Red Cross has caseworkers here that will talk with the families to help make sure that their immediate needs are being met," Woody said. "... to make sure that the family is all safe, to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, that their immediate basic human needs are satisfied right now."

Those who could not make it to the resource center can receive the same help by dialing 2-1-1 in order to contact United Way.

Fullmer said he is confident that the property in his community can be replaced, and he just happy that nobody was hurt.

"Knowing that nobody got killed or hurt in this is a real blessing for our community," Fullmer said.

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