When tornadoes struck the Nebraska communities of Bennington, Blair, Waterloo, and Elkhorn on Arbor Day, the devastation was immense. In response, the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) quickly launched the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund, raising over $1 million to support immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Thanks to strong partnerships with community organizations, fundholders, and local businesses, the first grants were distributed within a week to nonprofit partners on the ground. These funds helped meet the urgent needs of tornado victims and began laying the groundwork for sustained recovery.
Since April, the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund has supported the St. Vincent de Paul Society Omaha, the Rapid Response Team, American Red Cross/Heartland Chapter, Heartland Hope Mission, and Christian Outreach Program-Elkhorn, Inc.
Coordinated Response
As the relief efforts transitioned from immediate assistance to long-term recovery, the Omaha Community Foundation established the Tri-County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) and hired a Disaster Recovery Coordinator to bring together partners and organize the ongoing response. This coalition of nonprofits, government agencies, volunteer organizations, and philanthropic partners is leading the charge in rebuilding communities and addressing the long-term impacts of the tornado. The group is not only focused on recovery but also on building infrastructure for disaster response, ensuring the region is better prepared for future emergencies.
“We’ve seen incredible collaboration among more than 30 partner agencies,” said Sarah Sjolie, who leads the LTRG as the Disaster Recovery Coordinator. “This includes social services organizations, faith communities, local emergency management associations, and even construction management partners like Cargill and Blair Freeman. We’ve made substantial progress in a short amount of time, and it’s truly a collective effort.”
Grants and Impact
So far, the LTRG has provided funding to several key agencies, including Heartland Hope Mission, COPE Elkhorn, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. These grants have been instrumental in maintaining disaster case management services, ensuring that every household affected by the tornado is connected to resources for recovery. Disaster case managers play a vital role in guiding families through the complex recovery process, including FEMA claims, emergency resources, and helping to secure additional funding for unmet needs.
The LTRG also formed an Unmet Needs Committee, which finds support for people who have exhausted all other avenues of assistance. For example, the committee was able to find resources to replace a small business owner’s tools, which were lost when he was working on a job in the path of the tornado.
“These kinds of critical, tangible support efforts are made possible by the dedication of the Tri-County LTRG and the generosity of our donors,” Sjolie said.
Working with residents, contractors, FEMA and more
Out of the 900 homes impacted by the tornadoes, 383 cases remain open, and the Tri-County LTRG is diligently working with local communities to address both immediate and long-term needs. Affected residents who have yet to work with a case manager can call 2-1-1 and ask for “disaster case management services.” The 211 service will direct those individuals to one of the LTRG’s partner agencies working on the ground with impacted households.
The rebuilding process can be complex. As a result of feedback from tornado survivors, a unique and valuable new partnership has formed between the Tri-County LTRG and Blair Freeman, a community-based development company. Blair Freeman will serve as an advocate for homeowners navigating the FEMA and rebuilding process, particularly those who are elderly, new to the community, or non-native English speakers. This “owner’s representative” service will help homeowners get the support they need in dealing with contractors, suppliers, and insurers.
“This partnership ensures that even our most vulnerable community members are supported in rebuilding their homes and lives,” Sjolie said.
Over the coming months, the LTRG will intensify its efforts to reach all affected households and continue working on community resilience projects. “Recovery takes time, but we’re here for the long haul,” Sjolie emphasized. “We want to ensure that every person impacted by the tornado has access to the resources they need to recover fully.”
Get involved
The Omaha Community Foundation and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha are calling on volunteers to assist with vital post-tornado clean-up efforts in Washington County on Saturday, November 9. The event will bring together volunteers to support several homeowners whose properties were affected by devastating tornadoes that swept across the area on Arbor Day.
- Starting Location: Howard/Sievers Room at Memorial Community Hospital and Health System, 810 N. 22nd St., Blair, NE 68008
- Schedule:
- 7:45 – 8:00 AM: Volunteer Registration & Breakfast
- 9 a.m. -noon: Clean-up efforts
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Wrap-Up
Looking ahead, the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund will continue to support long-term efforts. You can donate to the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund. We use the fund to partner with nonprofits to help individuals, families, and businesses across Nebraska with long-term needs.