A vow to build again - BostonHerald.com

A vow to build again - BostonHerald.com: "The communities of Monson, Springfield, West Springfield and Brimfield were the hardest hit by three freak tornadoes Wednesday that killed three people, downed thousands of trees, destroyed entire neighborhoods and displaced hundreds."

Massive recovery effort in tornado zone - BostonHerald.com

Massive recovery effort in tornado zone - BostonHerald.com: "We’re transitioning from life-safety issues to beginning the recovery efforts and continuing to support the local communities in providing resources they and their residents need to get back on the road to recovery,” said Scott MacLeod, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency."

Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) Website

Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) Website: "The Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) is the interagency focal point for coordinating the mobilization of resources between the twelve Federal and State Dispatch Centers of the Southwest Area and, when necessary, the National Coordination Center in Boise, ID, for assignment throughout the nation. Located in Albuquerque, NM, the SWCC mobilizes resources for wildland fire, prescribed fire, and other all-risk incidents. In addition, the Center provides Predictive Services and Intelligence related-products in support of incident management decision-making for wildland fire managers and on-the-ground wildland firefighters."

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011: "Employees who are out of work due to tornado damage may be eligible for either regular unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance. In addition, filing and waiting periods may be expedited for disaster victims. For example, Missouri has waived the waiting period to collect benefits in two counties.

Here's information on how to file for unemployment benefits in your state and a list of State Unemployment Offices."

Philanthropy 101: Penalize bad causes, boost good ones | OregonLive.com

Philanthropy 101: Penalize bad causes, boost good ones | OregonLive.com: "Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, has a way with words, and she is not convinced that Attorney General John Kroger's charity bill would help charities. As Berger put it Tuesday: 'Is the juice worth the squeeze?'

Berger is talking about Senate Bill 40, which passed the Oregon Senate 28-2. Yet, as The Oregonian's D.K. Row reported Monday, the bill is now bottled up in the House, thanks to Berger. As co-chair of the House Committee on Revenue, Berger has not allowed it to have a hearing. The bill would take away the state tax deduction for what Kroger has called 'fake charities.'"

Creative products raise money for tornado relief | TuscaloosaNews.com

Creative products raise money for tornado relief | TuscaloosaNews.com: "They’re shaped like a tornado, basically a cone with a wide bottom, but swirly, with kind of undulating motions on it,” said Kennedy, who owns and operates FireHorse Pottery Studios out of the Kentuck complex. “I’m glazing them in a lot of different colors.”

The first morning after she posted the concept on Facebook, she sold 54 of the first 100, which took about three solid days of work. The rest went quickly, so she’s filling orders for another three dozen or so, but plans to keep the tumblers to a limited edition."

Massachusetts Begins Cleanup After Tornadoes - NYTimes.com

Massachusetts Begins Cleanup After Tornadoes - NYTimes.com: "BOSTON — Residents of Springfield began cleaning up Thursday after the first tornadoes to hit Massachusetts in three years killed four people, destroyed buildings and stirred fear among residents of a region far more accustomed to snowstorms."

Gov. Patrick declares state of emergency - BostonHerald.com

Gov. Patrick declares state of emergency - BostonHerald.com: "FEMA has also activated the Massachusetts Urban Search and Rescue Team, which responded to ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001, and for hurricane Katrina. A spokesman for the squad tells the Herald they are being sent to the Springfield area and also the town of Munson.

Apparent tornado hits Mass. city, injuries cited

Apparent tornado hits Mass. city, injuries cited: "(AP) -- An apparent tornado struck the downtown of one of the state's largest cities on Wednesday afternoon, scattering debris, toppling trees and frightening workers and residents. Several injuries were reported.

'Many injuries' reported in Massachusetts tornadoes - CNN.com

'Many injuries' reported in Massachusetts tornadoes - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- At least two tornadoes struck Springfield, Massachusetts, and numerous other communities in the western part of the state Wednesday, leaving behind 'many injuries' and extensive damage, the state's governor said.

State of emergency declared after Mass. tornadoes | ajc.com

State of emergency declared after Mass. tornadoes  | ajc.com: "SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Massachusetts Gov. Deval (deh-VAL') Patrick has declared a state of emergency and has called up 1,000 National Guard troops following what he said were two damaging tornadoes that swept through the state.

BREAKING NEWS: Tornado hits Springfield as thunderstorms sweep Massachusetts | Mail Online

BREAKING NEWS: Tornado hits Springfield as thunderstorms sweep Massachusetts | Mail Online: "The debris-filled funnel cloud roared through the city, one of the state's biggest, at around 4.45pm, felling trees and damaging buildings before heading east.

There were reports of residents trapped in houses, roofs ripped off and some injuries, but further details have yet to emerge.

It came as forecasters issued a tornado watch

NorwalkPlus.com News - AmeriCares receives $100,000 donation

NorwalkPlus.com News - AmeriCares receives $100,000 donation: "AmeriCares, a leading nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization, was presented with a $100,000 donation from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York (JCCI) to help survivors of the deadly tornadoes that have devastated the South, including most recently in Joplin, Missouri.

"

Clay Center Dispatch

Clay Center Dispatch: "Relief agencies assisting with the disasters in Kansas and Missouri are encouraging persons wishing to help to donate cash to the Salvation Army, Red Cross or other established disaster relief organization. Be cautious when making contributions to other, unknown agencies or individuals claiming to raise funds for disaster victims.

Hardee's to give $30,000 to tornado victims | St. Louis Business Journal

Hardee's to give $30,000 to tornado victims | St. Louis Business Journal: "St. Louis-based Hardee’s Food Systems Inc. said it will donate $25,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of the violent weather that has ravaged the Southeast and Midwest in recent months.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Understanding the Disaster Relief Equation - Clayton-Richmond Heights, MO Patch

Understanding the Disaster Relief Equation - Clayton-Richmond Heights, MO Patch: "As the recovery process gets underway following the deadly tornado that left behind a four-mile path of destruction in Joplin on Sunday, asking who pays for a natural disaster may seem upsetting.

The death toll in Joplin is still rising. Hundreds are listed as unaccounted for. The stories and images of death and survival coming from southwest Missouri are gut wrenching. How could anyone ask about the cost?

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Smith Mountain Eagle

Smith Mountain Eagle: "Governor authorizes state contribution to Virginia Disaster Relief Fund



RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that $600,000 in anticipated state agency savings will go toward helping Virginians who were affected by severe weather and tornadoes that struck the Commonwealth in April. The money is the latest addition to a fund the governor recently established to collect donations from companies, non-profit organizations, volunteer organizations, faith-based groups, and residents."

Missouri Southern State University Tornado Disaster Announcements and Information

Missouri Southern State UniversityTornado Disaster Announcements and Information: "Tornado Announcements


TORNADO DISASTER ASSISTANCE INFORMATION PAGE - please see this link to access more information for disaster assistance.
Employee Disaster Announcement Page | Student Disaster Announcement Page"

Report says Haiti earthquake death toll closer to 50,000 not 316,000 | al.com

Report says Haiti earthquake death toll closer to 50,000 not 316,000 | al.com: "The report, a copy of which was obtained Monday by The Associated Press, estimates that the death toll was between 46,000 and 85,000, far below the Haitian government's official figure of 316,000. The report was prepared for the U.S. Agency for International Development but has not yet been publicly released."

Why can’t I help? � Eclectic Me

Why can’t I help? � Eclectic Me: ". Why can’t I help?

You can. The need is not going to end this week, next week, or even next month. The need won’t even end this year. I speak not only to this disaster, but to others as well. You can help and all it takes is being prepared and being patient."