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In reading the following information, this Tornado Damage Map or directions of how to get to Clay may be helpful.
FEMA Assistance: The city of Clay has been designated a federal disaster area for individual assistance. Please register with them for assistance at 1-800-621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov or apply on your smartphone at m.fema.gov. FEMA representatives are at the Center Point City Hall until February 25, closing every day at 6 p.m.
Registration time is limited. The deadline for submitting a disaster claim is April 2, so register as soon as you can. FEMA has benefits for survivors, even those with insurance. As an example, they offer low interest / quick SBA loans for rebuilding. Some are finding their insurance does not cover all their needs or that it doesn't cover replacement of lost items. All who have been affected by the January 23 tornado in Clay are urged to register with FEMA as this will help the city of Clay by showing federal officials the extent of the damage in our city. Many may receive a rejection letter, but they should read it carefully and know they can appeal.
Other Assistance: If you have immediate food, personal or cleaning supply needs, please fill out this form or call Linda Love at 680-1253. We have many donated items, which can be found at City Hall Monday - Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. We urge all who experienced loss to get whatever items they need as they were donated for this purpose. Some of the items include canned goods, water, Gatorade, cereals, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, brooms, mops, buckets, detergents, Windex, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, dordorants, feminine products, baby food, formula, diapers, wipes, clothes of all types, blankets, sheets, comforters, towels, school supplies, work gloves, rakes and shovels.
Help from Volunteers: Residents who welcome volunteer help will need to sign a Right of Entry Agreement that can be gotten at City Hall. You may also fill out a Help Request form. Some tornado survivors have been paying for clean up service, not realizing volunteers are willing to do that. The volunteers can do all types of labor work: sweeping, cleaning, mopping, shoveling, etc.
Companies Offering Services: Many companies are offering their services to you as part of the clean up and recovery effort. We urge you to follow this recommendation to make sure the person / company has a Clay business license and a permit. We cannot assist you in dealings with a company if they have not gotten a license from the city. All contractors offering their services in the disaster area that have a city business license will have a neon card in their automobile. Please read these tips to protect yourself from unscrupulous contractors.
Debris Pick Up: On Tuesday, January 31, the city of Clay began vegetation debris pick up, including downed trees. The debris needs to be pulled to the edge of the road on your property. This is not for damaged furniture, appliances or other household items. The city is making arrangements now for pick up of those items soon. If you hired a business to do tree cutting or debris removal for you, that business is responsible for the disposal, not the city. This is being strictly enforced. The Jefferson County Health Department does not allow outdoor burning.
Food: Clayridge Baptist Church will offer lunch to recovery workers and tornado survivors on February 20-23. Stay in touch with us on Facebook to see when we may need more food or when and where others are offering food.
Law Enforcement: Law enforcement personnel are patroling in the disaster areas day and night. Anyone seeing anything suspicous should contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 325-1450.
Lost Items: If you are a victim who has lost some items, call City Hall at 680-1223 and call Lea Corley at 568-7009 or Nancy Drinkard at 368-6556 to see if your item has been recovered. City Hall and Re/Max Marketplace in Trussville are the lost and found locations.
Legal Advice: The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program is offering free legal advice to tornado victims. If you need to take advantage of their services, call 250-5198.
Children: Churches and other Clay residents have been providing toys for young tornado victims. Dreamweaver Stables is offering free horseback riding for victims. Call 586-1449 or email
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. Family Bridges, located in Clay next to Piggly Wiggly, offers a multitude of services to families with children. The Clay Public Library also has teddy bears to bring comfort to the very young tornado survivors.
Internet Service: If you need to use a fax machine, copier or Internet service, you can do this at the Clay Public Library on the north end of Clay at the Clay City Park.
Counseling: Counseling services are being offered through United Counseling. The counselor's name is Elaine Russell. You can call her at 824-8320 until 2 p.m. and 669-9487 after that. This is free to those affected by the January 23rd tornadoes.
Family Bridges, located in Clay next to Piggly Wiggly, offers a multitude of services to people with children.
NorthPark Baptist Church is bringing in a counselor on certain days. On February 26 at 4 p.m., counselors will be at the church to help tornado survivors. A child counselor will also be present.
Library Items: If you are a tornado survivor and had items checked out from the library, don't worry. When it is convenient to you, contact the Clay Public Library and they will take care of your account without any fees or costs for items checked out from the Clay Public Library.
Long-term Housing: Local realtors in the area have been collecting a list of rental properties for displaced families. If you are looking for long-term housing, please work with your insurance company or contact a local realtor. FEMA can help also.
Rebuilding: The Small Business Administration will remain at the Clay Community Center helping tornado survivors with low-interest mortgages until March 1. they are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Jefferson County Department of Health is offering a Permission to Use Application for those who are rebuilding or getting temporary housing where they need a septic tank. You do not have to go to the JCDH, they will come to you or you can request assistance at jcdh.org. Contact them at 930-1230. Please identify that you are a victim of the January 23 storm. The JCDH is waiving fees associated with these applications for disaster victims.
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Information for Tornado Victims
