A series of intense tornadoes linked to a severe storm system left at least 21 dead and extensive damage in the central region of the United States. The phenomena began Friday night and extended into the early hours of Saturday morning, especially impacting the states of Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, as confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS).
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported the deaths of 14 people, including victims in Graves and Marshall counties. A state of emergency was declared and the National Guard was activated. “The number may increase as search efforts are completed in the rubble,” he added. In Missouri, authorities confirmed at least 7 fatalities after one of the tornadoes touched down near St. Louis, with winds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h), downing homes, schools and power lines. Mayor Cara Spencer lamented the tragedy and said: “We are mourning, but working tirelessly to help those who lost everything”.
Hispanics affected and at risk
Many of those affected by the tornadoes that struck the Midwest are from Hispanic communities living in vulnerable areas.
Without adequate structures to withstand natural disasters.
According to data from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, more than 30% of agricultural and construction workers in these regions are of Latino origin.
Many of them live in mobile homes or makeshift dwellings.
Organizations such as UnidosUS and Feeding America have initiated relief and fundraising efforts to provide temporary shelter and medical assistance to Latino families displaced by the tornadoes.
What to do in these cases?
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If you are Hispanic and reside in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas or Kentucky, you are in what is known as “Tornado Alley,” a high tornado frequency area in the United States.
Here are some essential tips:
Activate emergency alerts in Spanish
Use applications such as FEMA, NOAA Weather Radar Live or government alerts (WEA) on your cell phone.
Identify the safest shelter at home
If you don’t have a basement, choose an interior bathroom or closet without windows.
Practice family drills at least twice a year.
3. Prepare a survival kit
. Include flashlight, radio with batteries, water, non-perishable food, portable charger, documents and medicines.
Store everything in a ready-to-go backpack.
4. Know about nearby evacuation centers
Many shelters are available in churches, schools and community centers, especially in areas with a high Latino presence.
Long-term impact
In addition to the deadly toll, the tornadoes left more than 700,000 homes without power, severely affecting infrastructure in at least 12 U.S. states.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already begun the damage assessment process to distribute recovery funds.
The phenomena began on Friday night
QueOnnda.com
Meanwhile, community organizations are soliciting bilingual volunteers to help with translation, food distribution and medical care.
For more information, visit QueOnnda.com.
