From the Mountain Sky Conference Disaster Response Team

Shelter: Please make sure that everyone has a safe and warm place to stay! The YMCA in Lafayette (95^th and Arapahoe - 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette (accepting pets) is the largest shelter and will remain open indefinitely.  At this location survivors can get meals, clean water and space heaters. There is also another center at Rocky Mountain Christian Church, 9447 Niwot Rd. (95th and Niwot Road) (not accepting pets. To get an electric heater you could also stop by Boulder YWCA at 2222 14th St. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or the Superior Community Center at 1500 Coalton Rd. Superior. 

FEMA: This is now a federally declared disaster which makes the assistance and funding available through FEMA accessible. They do offer financial assistance and it's also a way of “raising your hand” to let volunteer organizations know that you need help. Please encourage everyone who was impacted by this disaster to register with FEMA.  

Residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance starting Sunday by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.   

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed. 

Donations Management: The state emergency team and the Colorado VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster – we are members of this group) are working on a plan to organize both accepting donations and distribution of the donated items. When I get specifics on this process, I will let everyone know. This can get out of control so a process to do this is great!  

Disaster Assistance Center – A physical facility will be opened early next week where survivors can go to meet with “agencies” (this is the term used to encompass faith-based organizations like us and other volunteer driven organizations) to find someone who can help with their specific issue. We will participate in this as it’s a great place to distribute our cleaning and fire kits.   

Crisis Cleanup – There is a website where survivors can go to indicate that you need help in cleaning up your home or property.  If anyone in your church needs this service, please direct them to www.crisiscleanup.org or call 720 206 0627.  Agencies (like us) can access this site to locate them who have the resources to help. Caution everyone that using this site is not a guarantee that someone will reach out to you, but it is one avenue to pursue.