Throughout the weekend and likely to continue the next several days, resources for those affected by the Friday night's storms and tornado have been collected and distributed through efforts coordinated with local and county emergency and governmental agencies and churches.
Monday afternoon some supplies were being loaded for transport to the Bakersfield area in Ozark County, where an EF-3 tornado was confirmed and three people lost their lives. First United Methodist Church in West Plains was one of several local churches that offered respite services, including showers, supplies and access to power for those that needed to charge phones and battery-powered medical equipment like oxygen concentrators.
Howell County Commissioners met Monday morning to take reports from emergency services coordinators, including Howell County Sheriff Matt Roberts and Howell County Emergency Coordinator Mike Coldiron.
As for ongoing relief, Coldiron suggested those in need call 211, a number that will lead callers to locally available United Way resources. Those wanting to submit an online disaster intake form through United Way may also visit its website at uwgsl.tfaforms.net/forms/view/4603159.
Coldiron also cautioned property owners to be wary of scams, particularly from callers claiming to be with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and offering repair services, and reminded residents that emergency officials and law enforcement agencies, including the Howell County Sheriff's Department, will inform the public when FEMA resources are available.
As of Monday morning, other relief providers were expecting further shipments of supplies from Convoy of Hope, headquartered in Springfield. Endurance Church was a drop-off point for Convoy of Hope on Saturday and is continuing to coordinate relief efforts with updates on availability as soon as times are set.
The West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis Street, stayed open until 8 p.m. Monday for those needing to take a shower.
First Baptist Church of West Plains provided services and a meeting space for South Fork students in its fellowship hall. South Fork School is part of the West Plains R-7 district and students were bused from the kindergarten-through-sixth grade school to First Baptist Church. They had lunch at the West Plains Middle School and were served ice cream before being bused back to the school for parent pickup.
On Monday afternoon, South Fork still didn't have power, and Principal Seth Huddleston said his students would continue to meet at the church until power is restored, which happened Monday evening. Students attended school at the South Fork Elementary building on Tuesday. About 150 out of 190 South Fork students were bused to the church on Monday, with some students choosing to stay home with their families, Huddleston said.
Huddleston's wife Suzanne is the owner of Mission First Medical and a family nurse practitioner who partnered with Spring Dipper of West Plains to provide students with a treat before they returned home, some of whom experienced damage or destruction to their family's property.
The City of West Plains, MUNCH Thrift Store and Food Pantry in Willow Springs, Howell County Rural Fire District No. 1 and many other volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers, Sugar Lily Bakery and Floral, and Tony's Tire were among many of the other public and private entities that pitched in after the storms passed to provide aid.
