How can funders support communities after tornadoes and severe storms?

Tornado season typically begins in April. However, the United States has already recorded 277 tornadoes as of April 2, 2026. The latest information reports 11 fatalities as of March 10. Additionally, areas that haven’t yet fully recovered from previous disasters have endured extensive damage to homes and communities. 

Tornadoes often occur in less-resourced rural communities in some of the poorest states, such as Mississippi and Louisiana. Rural communities can be slower to recover compared to urban centers, requiring “patient dollars” for rehabilitation after disasters. Pledges of multi-year funding are very helpful.  

Funders can support communities after tornadoes in a few key areas, including:  

Housing  

People whose homes were damaged will need support securing new housing that is safe and affordable, in addition to help repairing damaged property. After a tornado, displaced residents may face challenges finding housing that meets their needs. Tornadoes affect people from all walks of life, some with insurance and others without. 

The destruction of manufactured homes  (often called mobile homes) also affects affordable housing availability in communities.  More than 22 million people in the U.S. live in mobile and manufactured homes, which represent an important, affordable and accessible housing option for many communities. 

Mental health 

Emotional and spiritual care after a tornado is critical, especially for the families of people killed in the storms, first responders and those who have seen their communities destroyed. Long-term mental health and trauma support is crucial for long-term recovery. In communities still recovering from previous disasters, the trauma of experiencing another one can be especially acute. Additionally, there is also a severe risk of  poor emotional health, suicide or self-harming behaviors among  farmers and ranchers after disasters  

Economic recovery 

Communities suffer from damage and destruction to their homes, but also to their businesses. Direct costs include damage to brick-and-mortar buildings, damage to crops and land, power loss to refrigerated goods, inability to transport goods and services over damaged roadways, and loss of income while businesses rebuild after the storm. Investing in business recovery can stimulate local economies and is critical to helping communities rebuild.  

How funders can help tornado preparedness and recovery 

• Invest in resilient infrastructure by rebuilding and strengthening homes, schools, congregate settings, and other critical facilities.
• Focus on tornado safety, which includes tornado safe shelters and safe rooms.
• Support community counseling services for emotional and mental health after the storm.
• Strengthen community-based mental health initiatives, including crisis counseling teams, individual and group therapy with licensed mental health professionals, and school- or community-based interventions. Funding may also support pre-disaster or on-demand training in psychosocial support approaches such as Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR).
• Support safe debris removal, tree removal, and tree replacement efforts.
• Consider supporting the recovery of livelihoods storms may have damaged or destroyed.
• Pay particular attention to small business owners, farmers and other economically vulnerable populations.
• Support collaborative, community-led recovery efforts, including long-term recovery groups and coalitions that provide disaster case management, legal services, and equitable coordination of financial, volunteer and in-kind resources.
• Invest in preparedness and early warning systems, including weather alert systems, group shelters and pre-positioned emergency supplies in high-risk areas to ensure communities are better prepared when tornadoes occur. 

To support tornado recovery efforts, please donate to CDP’s Disaster Recovery Fund and select “US Tornadoes and Severe Weather” from the dropdown menu.