Where did all the money for the tornado victims go?

[warreng88]

I was always curious as to how the money donated from citizens or companies are distributed to the tornado victims. I know the majority was sent to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or some other non-profit, but how do people decide who gets what and has anybody heard stories about someone getting money from one of these entities? I am not thinking corruption or anything, I am just not sure how it works.

[Jesseda]

I was always curious as to how the money donated from citizens or companies are distributed to the tornado victims. I know the majority was sent to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or some other non-profit, but how do people decide who gets what and has anybody heard stories about someone getting money from one of these entities? I am not thinking corruption or anything, I am just not sure how it works.

A lot of us who lost homes are asking the same questions. The city of moore received millions from towns sending them money, the city is saying it is for debris removal and slab removal and to help rebuild moore. I thought Fema was handing the debris removal? The city did remove my slab but then sent my insurance the bill, so I cant tell you where all this donated money is going, my neighbors and I have been wondering that ourselves. I love how the city says they are coming back strong with new park improvements and the large park that is being built on 4th street and broadway, but they passed a sales tax for these new parks ( so no tornado donation money should be going to these new parks) which the park that's going to be built on 4th and broadway has a price tag of 22 million but the city cant afford to put in storm shelters in the schools? I know of a few in my neighborhood that didn't have insurance ( which blows my mind ) and one of them was my neighbor and his church is the one building his new house for him. I hope the donation money goes to the ones that really need it because there is so many still fighting insurance and so many that don't have enough funds to fix there houses yet. I am lucky that I have great family and friends, the place my wife works at PepsiCo and that my insurance came through for me, I already moved into and settled my new home (Which is still in moore) and life is back to normal for me and my family.

[okcboomer]

I was always curious as to how the money donated from citizens or companies are distributed to the tornado victims. I know the majority was sent to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or some other non-profit, but how do people decide who gets what and has anybody heard stories about someone getting money from one of these entities? I am not thinking corruption or anything, I am just not sure how it works.

Good question, but a better question would be, why do people donate millions and millions of dollars? Insurance and federal money should take care of the majority of the cost. Yes, donations are good for first response, but after that, federal money and insurance takes over.

[okcboomer]

A lot of us who lost homes are asking the same questions. The city of moore received millions from towns sending them money, the city is saying it is for debris removal and slab removal and to help rebuild moore. I thought Fema was handing the debris removal? The city did remove my slab but then sent my insurance the bill, so I cant tell you where all this donated money is going, my neighbors and I have been wondering that ourselves. I love how the city says they are coming back strong with new park improvements and the large park that is being built on 4th street and broadway, but they passed a sales tax for these new parks ( so no tornado donation money should be going to these new parks) which the park that's going to be built on 4th and broadway has a price tag of 22 million but the city cant afford to put in storm shelters in the schools? I know of a few in my neighborhood that didn't have insurance ( which blows my mind ) and one of them was my neighbor and his church is the one building his new house for him. I hope the donation money goes to the ones that really need it because there is so many still fighting insurance and so many that don't have enough funds to fix there houses yet. I am lucky that I have great family and friends, the place my wife works at PepsiCo and that my insurance came through for me, I already moved into and settled my new home (Which is still in moore) and life is back to normal for me and my family.

Glad to hear that insurance did what it was supposed to do. After all, that is why we pay for it.

[ThomPaine]

Here's some info on the Red Cross.Red Cross Moving Forward With Long-Term Recovery in OK

FAQs ?Oklahoma Tornadoes

OEM FAQ

Oklahoma Tornado: Rumor Control | FEMA.gov

OKStrong

OKStrong - Home

[oki]

Good question, but a better question would be, why do people donate millions and millions of dollars? Insurance and federal money should take care of the majority of the cost. Yes, donations are good for first response, but after that, federal money and insurance takes over.

Some people choose not to get insurance, then something like this happens.

Renters, in particular, don't always get insurance so they would have lost everything.

Or people who paid their mortgage off years ago-- no mortgage insurance needed any longer.

I knew someone who lost their house and cars in the tornado. Their friends raised over $15,000 for them. As nice as I thought that was of their friends, I wondered "what about insurance." Maybe giving money is just a goodwill gesture that makes both the giver and receiver feel good, even if the person has insurance. And I think it filled a temporary need getting this person a new place to live, new car, etc. while they waited for insurance money.

Sometimes I wonder where the money goes too.

[betts]

Mortgage insurance pays off a home loan in the event of death of the borrower. It doesn't replace houses lost to tornados. However, if you have a loan, you're required to have replacement insurance. If you've paid off your mortgage, having insurance is a personal decision.

[ctchandler]

Betts,
Yes, insurance is a personal decision, however, I don't know anybody that has paid off their mortgage that doesn't continue to carry homeowner's insurance. I know there are some, I just don't know any. My home was paid off almost ten years ago and I wouldn't think of not carrying insurance. It's just practical, I have collected $26,000 this year for home and car and it's nice to get everything fixed and paid for. I will drop my collision coverage on my car if the value drops below $5,000.
C. T.

[warreng88]

Here's some info on the Red Cross.Red Cross Moving Forward With Long-Term Recovery in OK

FAQs ?Oklahoma Tornadoes

OEM FAQ

Oklahoma Tornado: Rumor Control | FEMA.gov

OKStrong

OKStrong - Home

So, long story short: The donated money does not go directly to the victims to help with their homes, but to organization to help with the relief effort. Here is some info from the Red Cross link:

Because of the generous support from donors, the Red Cross has recieved $38 million dollars. This helped mobilize more than 2,000 workers to provide food, shelter and care for those who had to leave—or who lost—their homes in Moore, Shawnee, El Reno and other communities across Oklahoma.

The Red Cross worked with each affected community to establish five multi-agency resource centers designed to meet the full range of immediate needs of those impacted by the tornadoes. Dozens of agencies and government partners joined in this effort and thousands of families were helped.

So far the Red Cross has spent or committed nearly $15 million for its emergency response and initial assistance to help families. The remainder of the donations to the Red Cross will be used to support the long term needs of the affected communities, including individual and community resilience, school preparedness, and community rebuilding.

[ThomPaine]

So, long story short: The donated money does not go directly to the victims to help with their homes, but to organization to help with the relief effort. Here is some info from the Red Cross link:

Because of the generous support from donors, the Red Cross has recieved $38 million dollars. This helped mobilize more than 2,000 workers to provide food, shelter and care for those who had to leave—or who lost—their homes in Moore, Shawnee, El Reno and other communities across Oklahoma.

The Red Cross worked with each affected community to establish five multi-agency resource centers designed to meet the full range of immediate needs of those impacted by the tornadoes. Dozens of agencies and government partners joined in this effort and thousands of families were helped.

So far the Red Cross has spent or committed nearly $15 million for its emergency response and initial assistance to help families. The remainder of the donations to the Red Cross will be used to support the long term needs of the affected communities, including individual and community resilience, school preparedness, and community rebuilding.

"Helping victims with their homes" is really not in the Red Cross charter.

What We Do | Red Cross | Disaster Relief, Emergency Management

For disaster relief, they:

provide shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet.

Repairing homes is more an issue for insurance and FEMA. The Red Cross was there to provide immediate relief for suffering, and long term relief for folks still having problems.

[Patrick]

Just remember, we give for the kids. It's all about the children. Poor children need our help.

[venture]

A lot of us who lost homes are asking the same questions. The city of moore received millions from towns sending them money, the city is saying it is for debris removal and slab removal and to help rebuild moore. I thought Fema was handing the debris removal? The city did remove my slab but then sent my insurance the bill, so I cant tell you where all this donated money is going, my neighbors and I have been wondering that ourselves. I love how the city says they are coming back strong with new park improvements and the large park that is being built on 4th street and broadway, but they passed a sales tax for these new parks ( so no tornado donation money should be going to these new parks) which the park that's going to be built on 4th and broadway has a price tag of 22 million but the city cant afford to put in storm shelters in the schools? I know of a few in my neighborhood that didn't have insurance ( which blows my mind ) and one of them was my neighbor and his church is the one building his new house for him. I hope the donation money goes to the ones that really need it because there is so many still fighting insurance and so many that don't have enough funds to fix there houses yet. I am lucky that I have great family and friends, the place my wife works at PepsiCo and that my insurance came through for me, I already moved into and settled my new home (Which is still in moore) and life is back to normal for me and my family.

There was a story about Moore doing this, I want to say it ran just after the tornadoes. After the 99 tornado they did the same thing. They get their insurance payment to reimburse themselves, but at the same time they also bill the property owners for any debris removal. Essentially, the way it was explained, they are able to double dip. So Moore gets the payment from their insurance and you (or your insurance). The disaster aid, like has already been posted, goes to the response efforts...not specifically to the victims themselves in the form of a check.