UPDATE, Thursday 5:45 p.m.: Amherst County residents affected by the tornado who need access to deeds, deeds of trust or any other paperwork at the Amherst County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office will be able to get copies free of charge, said Clerk of Court Deborah Mozingo on Thursday.
Amherst Commissioner of Revenue Jane Irby has been surveying Amherst County homes that need to be reviewed to adjust tax information according to damage from the tornado. Any dwellings that were completely destroyed will be removed from tax books for the remainder of the year, she said.
Any Amherst County resident who receives a tax ticket that needs adjustment because of tornado damage should get in touch with Irby’s office at (434) 946-9310 or email jlirby@countyofamherst.com.
Workers with the Campbell County Real Estate Office have information on severely damaged properties from other county officials and Theresa Phillips, program manager for the office, said she’s adjusting tax tickets for the county accordingly. Anyone who might need to update their information should stop by the office at 85 Carden Lane in Rustburg.
Lynchburg assessors have already prioritized heavily damaged properties and are visiting those properties, according to City Assessor Jeff Bandy. Any residents with structural damage to their home can have their property assessed in order to make any tax adjustments.
Lynchburg recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are eligible for benefit replacements if their power has verifiably been out for eight hours or more, according Virginia Huntington, assistant director of Lynchburg’s Social Services Division. Anyone wanting to get in touch with a SNAP coordinator can call (434) 455-5850.
UPDATE, Wednesday 3 p.m.: A distribution point for essential items for storm-affected residents will be provided at the Elon Presbyterian Church at 2290 Cedar Gate Road Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. according to a news release issued by Campbell County Wednesday afternoon.
Items available include: bottled water, personal hygiene products, baby care supplies, cleaning supplies, paper products, non-perishable food, and pet food.
At this point more than 500 volunteers have signed up to serve, with buses transporting registered volunteers to clean-up sites. On-site clean-up needs are being met and no additional volunteers are needed. After 6 p.m. today, organizers will cease coordinated volunteer management as a majority of the work is being completed. Officials will monitor for additional needs and allocate volunteer resources accordingly, according to the news release. Officials ask that volunteers not "self-deploy to storm-affected sites."
The Amherst County Health Department, at 224 2nd Street, will provide free tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccines Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for those who need them.
UPDATE, Tuesday 7 p.m.: Lynchburg City, Campbell and Amherst county residents affected by the Sunday tornado are now able to get emergency charging kits from U.S. Cellular.
The company is offering free battery packs and portable chargers while supplies last at stores and vendors at 3901 Old Forest Road, Lynchburg; 308 Amelon Square, Madison Heights; 14805 Forest Road, Forest; and at the shelter at Monelison Middle School at 257 Trojan Lane in Madison Heights.
During store hours residents are also invited in to charge their phones and use free Wi-Fi.
UPDATE, Tuesday 2 p.m.: The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that it is accepting disaster relief donations for those impacted by the tornado. Donations of Walmart, Food Lion and Quick-e gift cards; paper products; plastic utensils and Clorox wipes will be accepted at the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, 328 Richmond Hwy, Suite A, Amherst. The center will be open until 2 p.m. Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to accept donations.
Evening donations can be taken to Loose Shoe Brewing Company at 198 Ambriar Plaza, Amherst.
EARLIER: In the wake of widespread destruction in Lynchburg and Amherst County neighborhoods as a result of Sunday evening’s storm, several community groups have organized donations and volunteer efforts to help mitigate the damage.
In a Monday news release, the city of Lynchburg stated it’s not seeking volunteers and instead stressed safety precautions because of the large number of downed power lines and tree limbs.
Similarly, the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday Facebook post that donations aren’t needed at the command post or emergency shelter. The sheriff’s office also advised would-be donors to be on the lookout for scams.
Gleaning for the World is asking for financial donations and disaster relief supplies to help those in need because of the storm. Credit card donations can be made at and checks can be mailed to: Gleaning for the World, PO Box 645, Concord, VA 24538
It is also accepting donations at the Wards Road Sam’s Club from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Wednesday. Any donated products need to be new or unused. Products needed include nonperishable food, baby supplies, hygiene supplies.
For more information on giving to Gleaning, call (434) 993-3600.
The Salvation Army of Greater Lynchburg is also accepting donations of “individual sized bottled drinks and non-perishable snack items for our canteens” for responders and affected residents, according to a Facebook post on the group’s page. Those wanting to make donations can visit the Salvation Army at 2211 Park Avenue in Lynchburg or call (434) 845-5939.
The Red Cross opened up a shelter at Thomas Road Baptist Church Sunday night. Anyone offering volunteer services and anyone in need of help can visit , where the church is taking stock of offers and coordinating help.
Monelison Middle School in Amherst County is also offering shelter to those who need it through the Red Cross. Anyone needing assistance or further information should call (434) 845-1234.
The Timberlake Family Pharmacy opened its doors at around 8:30 a.m. Monday to accept donations of snacks, drinks, coffee and warm meals for distribution to responders and clean-up crews along the road. Owner Jodi Ettare said anyone wanting to help should keep track of the pharmacy’s Facebook page for needs that can come and go by the hour.
Lynchburg City Schools students can receive lunches at noon Tuesday at Dunbar Middle School, the Jubilee Center or Gospel Community Church. Volunteers willing to help with preparing and distributing meals or cleanup can meet at Heritage High School at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Anyone interested in helping can call Ashley Bullock at (757) 714-7456 or Savannah Layne at (434) 942-4161.