Current Disaster Resources

2-1-1

Call 2-1-1 to be connected with health and human services in your area, providing services like food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance and physical and mental health resources.

American Red Cross

For immediate support, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

• Shelter – The Red Cross “Find Shelter” tool pulls information from the National Shelter System and allows people to view a Google map of open Red Cross shelter locations and search for shelters closest to their location. Shelters that are currently open will be displayed on the map or in the search results.
• Safe and Well List – The American Red Cross has provided a way for those affected by a disaster to register as safe and well, and for concerned family and friends to search for the status of their loved ones.
• Disaster and Safety Library – a variety of safety guides for different types of disasters.
• @RedCross – Official twitter account for the American Red Cross. Follow them for disaster and preparedness updates.

An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief, for Arts Organizations and Businesses, Artists, and Cultural Workers

Published by the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER), this field guide was created to help demystify federal disaster relief for the arts and culture sector by helping artists and arts organizations see what’s available, understand clearly what isn’t available, and decide if pursuing federal aid is a good use of time. The top programs of use to artists and arts organizations have been selected for inclusion.

Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities’ relief and recovery services are provided on a regional level, and respond to the need for emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support. Other Catholic Charities services include financial, medical and utilities assistance, clothing, housing, health care, and child care. This site provides links to local branches, each of which provides direct assistance.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

The CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response website is CDC’s primary source of information and resources for preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

Disaster SNAP/Food Stamp Program

The Disaster SNAP/Food Stamp Program provides replacement benefits for regular food stamp recipients who lose food in a disaster and extends benefits to many households which would not ordinarily be eligible but suddenly need food assistance. The benefits are delivered via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can expedite and mainstream the relief process for victims. Contact your state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to apply.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Information on disaster unemployment assistance, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.

• DisasterAssistance.gov has compiled disaster resources and services from several U.S. government agencies in a simple website where you can apply for numerous programs through a single application.
• Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) provides money and services to people in a disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed. The best way to register online is at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA Mobile App.
• Text Message Assistance – to search for open shelters, text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). To search for open Disaster Recovery Centers, text: DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA).
• FEMA Interim Housing Resources lists relevant programs that provide housing assistance.

Ready.gov

Detailed guides on what to do before, during, and after specific emergency situations, compiled by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

Recovers.org

A website with local hubs for emergency recovery, including resource, assistance requests, and volunteer/donation opportunities.

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

This service provides food and shelter in times of disaster. Find contact information for local branches on the website.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and most private nonprofit organizations. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Among the services provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society are emergency financial assistance, emergency transportation and disaster relief and victim services. This website allows users to search for local councils offering assistance.

• State Offices and Agencies of Emergency Management (list hosted by FEMA)
• State Government Insurance Departments (list hosted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
• State Departments of Transportation
• Homeless Shelter Directory (listed by state)
• Food Pantry Directory (listed by state)
• Community Emergency Response Teams Directory (for local CERT programs, volunteer opportunities)
• County Office Directory (listed by state)