One Year Later: Reflecting on Resilience After the April 2024 Storms

In times of crisis, communities reveal their strength.

One year ago, tornadoes swept through our region, leaving a trail of destruction — and a powerful reminder of what it means to care for one another. As devastating storms and tornadoes tore through parts of Nebraska and Iowa, families were displaced, homes were destroyed and lives were uprooted. Yet in the face of this destruction, individuals and businesses across the region stepped up to help.

We remember the destruction, but even more, we remember what happened next: a swift, unified response from neighbors, nonprofits and partners across our region.

Learn more about the lives impacted and the resilience of our community in this video:

Community Resilience: the ability to withstand, adapt to and recover from adversity

Responding in Real Time: United Way’s Role in Disaster Relief

Within minutes of the tornados touching down, United Way of the Midlands activated emergency response efforts to help meet immediate needs and provide long-term support.

United Way of the Midlands is honored to be trusted to step up and serve when our community needs us most – mobilizing resources so families and neighborhoods can rebuild and recover from devastating damage. Our 211 Helpline proved to be an essential lifeline for those impacted by storms, responding to more than 3,400 storm-related contacts over the summer and ensuring our resources were updated nearly 1,500 times to reflect the most current information available. But the relief didn’t stop there.

 

UWM also invested in organizations on the front lines of recovery, ensuring they had the resources needed to support the ongoing resilience of our community. These efforts, combined with the compassionate response of our donors and partners, demonstrate that when disaster strikes, we rise together—stronger and more united than ever before.

THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS LIKE YOU, UNITED WAY OF THE MIDLANDS RAISED MORE THAN

$1.4 Million

TO SUPPORT THOSE IMPACTED BY THE storms

United Way of the Midlands created the Nebraska & Iowa Tornado Relief Fund (NITRF) in response to the April tornadoes that displaced thousands of people in Nebraska and Iowa. The fund raised $1,415,000 thanks to the generosity and compassion of corporate and individual donors. Recognizing the severity of the storm and scope of the damage, individuals from 45 states and three countries gave to UWM – with 100% of every donation being directed to those in need of assistance.
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Your partner for local impact

With your support, UWM is uniquely positioned to assist with relief coordination efforts – ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively where they are needed most. The contributions raised following the devastating storms were being distributed to both local agencies and individuals in need in order to address the diverse impacts of the tornadoes.

This strategy addressed the severe and extreme devastation experienced by families and neighborhoods. It offered flexible and reliable assistance to households facing a very difficult situation, and supports both immediate and ongoing tornado response efforts. As needs evolve, UWM remains committed to coordinating and adapting future phases of investment to effectively address emerging challenges.

A Community that showed up

In times of need, we proved our community was stronger than any storm.

We’re proud of the compassion and generosity that followed the disaster. Thanks to our Board of Directors, corporate and nonprofit partners and our neighbors, we were able to provide urgent assistance and build a foundation for recovery.

Learn more about our collective impact

TOGETHER THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, UWM SUPPORTED OUR METRO THROUGH MULTIPLE STORMS — WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE RECEIVING TIMELY SUPPORTS.

“I would like to purchase some essentials for day-to-day life,” one person told us. “I lost all clothes, all food, all toiletries, everything. I walked out with just the clothes on my back.”

Emergency Assistance Recipient

“As we rebuild our lives day-by-day we are constantly reminded that the Midwest has the greatest communities of any place in the country when it comes to helping out. God bless you all for being another part of that community.”

211 Caller

“I am so grateful to you. It has been a rough five weeks. My special thanks to whomever made these funds available and to all of the great people that manage these dollars for disbursement.”

211 Caller

“The support from our community has been that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ that keeps reminding us how amazing our state truly is.”

211 Caller

Together, through the Nebraska and Iowa Tornado Relief Fund we:

  • Raised more than $1.4 million
  • Answered more than 3,400 storm-related 211 contacts
  • Distributed individual financial assistance to 295 people through 211
  • Invested in 14 local agencies working on the front lines of recovery
  • Helped more than 2,500 individuals through community partners
  • Delivered over 16,000 essential items

Explore more from our disaster relief efforts in April 2024

A Year of Progress
United in Recovery: Disaster Response Impact Report
Nebraska and Iowa Tornado Relief Fund

Prepared for the future

As we look to the future, United Way of the Midlands is proud to have updated our strategic plan to include community resilience as one of our impact areas. A resilient community is one that not only recovers from crises but emerges stronger, more connected and better prepared for future challenges. It means ensuring that when disaster strikes, families have access to the resources and support they need to rebuild and thrive.