Housing, mental health top priorities for tornado survivors

Even weeks after a devastating tornado swept through several towns neighboring Central, survivors of the twister are still picking up the pieces of their lives.

Many of those who lived were left with only the clothing on their backs and what they could salvage from the destroyed skeletons of their homes.  While some areas were spared or just barely touched by the disaster, others were entirely obliterated.  Images of the later evoke thoughts of the recent tidal wave which created an international crisis in Japan, a chilling reminder that disasters can strike anywhere.

Emotional Health Services, an organization based in Los Angeles which provides free mental health services to victims of crimes and disasters has set up a temporary branch just outside of Central to provide care for any survivors seeking help.  EMS board member Mary Landerson told the Central Times in a phone interview, "We have counselors, psychiatrists and psychologists on staff at our Central-area location, ready to help any of the affected who need our assistance in dealing with this tragedy."

One survivor who had come to Central after the tornado admitted that running a club in Central High was the only thing keeping him from turning to drugs to deal with the loss of his home.  His words serve as a reminder of how important mental health services are for those who have lost everything in this disaster.

Perhaps one of the few things more important than dealing with grief and trauma from the tornado is finding a place to live.  Even after the real estate bubble popped in 2007, home prices in Central continued to rise, meaning that survivors without much money may have trouble finding housing or even rebuilding their own homes.

To help, the state of California has kicked in $5 million in housing assistance for those whose homes were destroyed in the disaster, allowing families to find temporary housing in Central and other towns.  Several apartment complexes are advertising in force and many have filled up already, leaving fewer and fewer options every day.

Help for tornado victims is available in many forms from government funds to smaller local groups and funds, showing that Central and California can pull together to help those in need.