Our Impact
NGO partners supported
Responders sent
The Situation
The recovery process in Tennessee is anticipated to be prolonged, given the extensive damage across the state. Critical needs include urgent debris removal, immediate roof tarping, and swift home repair to help the thousands of people who are displaced in winter temperatures. Your donation is needed to support flights for responders to arrive on the ground as soon as possible to provide their assistance.
A series of tornadoes tore through parts of Tennessee, including Clarksville and Madison on Saturday, December 9th, 2023. At least six people have been confirmed dead and hundreds injured. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands of residents displaced while temperatures dropped below 50 degrees. As of Monday morning, 18,000 homes were still without power in Tennessee and it is not expected to be restored soon. Officials are expecting the recovery process to be long due to the widespread damage across the state. The most urgent needs currently include debris removal, roof tarping, and expedient home repair.
Our Partners
South & Midwest US Tornadoes
Situation Overview
Severe tornadoes and strong thunderstorms, including a deadly EF4 tornado, violently swept through Mississippi and Alabama on March 24th, 2023. Its path was approximately 59 miles with an EF4 tornado having wind gusts between 166 mph and 200 mph (265 kph and 320 kph).
At least 26 people died and dozens were injured. Entire blocks of buildings and homes were flattened. The Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork was decimated where a very difficult recovery is underway. Survivors describe that there is nothing left. The supercell that produced the deadly twister also seems to be responsible for creating the tornadoes that caused damage in northwest and north-central Alabama.
Into the weekend, survivors were left in shock digging out of debris and trying to cut through fallen trees. A significant number of Rolling Fork’s population of 2,000 residents lives below the poverty line. Data shows roughly 30 percent of its residents live in mobile homes, which are more vulnerable to tornado damage.
Just one week later, a series of numerous tornadoes (some preliminary reports stated 50) swept across a large portion of the South and Midwest U.S. Thousands were under tornado watches as destruction spanned 11 states and at 32 people were killed.
Disaster Response. Step One.
Get There.
Airlink is providing flights for skilled responders to arrive on the ground predominately in Mississippi and Arkansas to assist with debris and tree removal, as well as home repair. In Amory, MS, which is one of the hardest hit areas, tree help is greatly needed. Residents will need significant support to pick up the pieces of their lives and to sustain long-term recovery.
Our Impact
NGO partners supported
Responders sent
Response Partners
Kentucky Tornadoes
Our Impact
NGO partners supported
Responders sent
People provided with clean water
Our Response
- All Hands and Hearts is providing support to safeguard personal belongings
- Heart to Heart International is providing medical care
- Inspiritus is providing clean water, debris removal, and roof tarping
- IOCC (International Othodox Christian Charities) is providing muck-and-gut and home rebuild, repair services
- IsraAID is providing debris removal and cleanup support
- ITDCR is providing connectivity and charging stations to support response operations
- Operation BBQ is providing hot meals and comfort
- Project:Camp is providing pop-up day camps for children to give them a safe space
- Team Rubicon is providing cleanup support by clearing fallen or hazardous trees and debris to restore access to roadways and homes
- Toolbank USA is providing tools to responding organizations
Response Partners
U.S. Southeast Tornadoes
Our Impact
Responders sent
Our Response
Fierce winds ripped through a number of counties in Alabama on March 25, resulting in people being injured, widespread destruction to homes, and, sadly, 5 people losing their lives in Calhoun County, Alabama.
Alabama experienced destruction across a 100-mile track, with places like Birmingham (Al) enduring widespread property damage. It is likely that without assistance, impacted people and families will not begin taking steps to their recovery.
On Tuesday, March 30, Airlink worked with United Airlines to deploy 5 volunteers from our nonprofit partner Inspiritus to Alabama, where they will help local communities with the cleanup of tornado debris. Those sent are Team Leaders, Chain Saw Operators, Roof Tarppers, Assessors, and others. Inspiritus volunteers will be able to help people take their first steps towards their recovery and get back to a new normal.
Response Partners
Tennessee Tornadoes
Our Response
Just before dawn on March 3, communities near Nashville, Tennessee experienced powerful tornadoes, which killed at least 24 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings. According to the National Weather Service, an EF-4 tornado hit Putnam County and an EF-3 tornado struck Davidson and Wilson counties.
Airlink is coordinating a response with airlines and more than a dozen nonprofit partners, including the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).
Our Impact
Responders sent
Response Partners
Iowa Tornadoes
Our Impact
Responders sent
People provided with shelter
In transportation provided
Our Response
On July 19th, a series of 12 reported tornadoes tore through Iowa, United States. The tornados caused widespread damage across the midwestern state and resulted in several injuries.
The Des Moines Register reported details of one EF-3 that went through Marshalltown, Iowa. “It took wide and ferocious swipes out of the town’s sprawling Lennox HVAC supplies and parts factory; rocked homes off their foundations; sent garages missing; spun trees across roadways; and hurled power lines across the streetscape.”
Airlink partnered with United Airlines and Team Rubicon USA to send 24 volunteers from across the United States to Iowa to assist with debris removal, case management, volunteer management, and expedient home repair.
Response Partners
Arkansas Tornadoes
Our Response
On Sunday, April 27, 2014 a severe storm system moved through Arkansas. The storm system proceeded to generate multiple tornados, hail, high winds, and heavy rains. Widespread damage was experienced across the state and thousands of people were left without power.
One particular tornado that touched down was estimated to be a half-mile wide and of EF-3 strength. This storm cut through central Arkansas from Hot Springs to Batesville – a distance of approximately 80 miles. In the process it overran I-40 and made a direct hit on the towns of Vilona and Mayflower. Approximately 15 people are reported to have died and over 150 homes destroyed.
Team Rubicon deployed 121 members to Faulkner County, Arkansas to Bridge the Gap between the impact of the devastating tornadoes and the recovery operations of the local government. All total, they managed more than 10,000 spontaneous volunteers in Faulkner County, Arkansas, providing volunteer coordination, work order planning, and debris clearing capabilities to the impacted communities.
With the help of Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, Team Rubicon partnered with Airlink to send 10 additional volunteers to help with recovery efforts in all affected areas.
Our Impact
Responders sent
People provided with shelter
Volunteer hours
In transportation provided
Response Partners
Moore, Oklahoma Tornadoes
Our Impact
Responders sent
work orders completed
Saved in disaster recovery costs
Damage assessments conducted
In transportation provided
Our Response
On May 19th and 20th, 2013, 9 tornadoes hit Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. One of these, approximately 2 miles wide and gusting at 210 mph, cut directly through the town of Moore, OK. Initial estimates indicated at least 8,000 structures had been damaged or destroyed, 25 people lost their lives, and 377 more were injured as a result of the tornadoes. There was an extensive need for emergency provisions, as well as response and recovery services. Team Rubicon activated its national membership to respond, initiating Operation: Starting Gun.
Over the course of the next month and a half, Team Rubicon worked to coordinate volunteers in the field to complete a variety of tasks. Due to the magnitude of the destruction, the majority of their initial work involved clearing the remains of houses from their foundations. However, teams also assisted in clearing debris from residents’ yards and searching for missing valuables alongside homeowners. The teams were tasked with assessing damage, repairing homes and, for the first time in the organization’s history, demolishing structures.
Meanwhile, Disaster Tech Lab assembled rotating teams of IT and telecommunications engineers who carried out damage assessments, signal and service surveys, and established internet access and IP-based communication services for other responding organizations, disaster response centers, and the local population. The teams used a mix of Wi-Fi networks, VSAT capabilities, and solar power to build ad-hoc resilient networks. The teams equipped two Team Rubicon command centers with internet access, as well as setting up two internet cafes for residents and relief workers.
Thanks to the collaborative generosity of Airlink’s airline partners — Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines — Team Rubicon and Disaster Tech Lab deployed over 200 volunteers. This resulted in approximately 14,000 volunteer hours.
Response Partners
