Following the recent tornadoes in the Midwest and Southwest, the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is taking donations to help those in the collision repair industry who were impacted.

CIF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency relief by collecting and distributing donations to collision repairers who have experienced significant losses due to natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

According to a State Farm news release, 5,500 home and auto claims had been reported as of April 30 across nine states from the string of storms.

Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas were hit with dozens of tornadoes and other severe weather in April. CNN reports powerful storms brought flooding rainfall that swept away vehicles and triggered evacuations, delivered hail the size of softballs, and resulted in at least one damaging tornado in Texas on May 2.

Dozens of tornadoes have touched down since early April from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast and months of rain have fallen in East Texas causing rivers to rise to levels not seen since the devastating floods of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, according to CNN.

USA Today reports 373 tornadoes hit the U.S. in April compared to the annual average of 1,200.

“Our greatest concern is for the safety of everyone in the area,” State Farm said in the release. “State Farm catastrophe claim response team members are responding to assist customers, and local State Farm agents also are available to help customers with their claims. Our priority is taking care of our customers’ needs as quickly as possible as we begin the recovery process.”

To provide the best possible service and response to customers who have experienced property damage from the tornadoes, State Farm says it has sent catastrophe claims adjusters and support members to the areas affected by the storms to provide initial claim-handling efforts, focusing on the most severe losses first.

State Farm policyholders who have damage can file claims by calling or emailing their State Farm agent, calling 1-800-SFCLAIM, through the mobile app, or online at statefarm.com/claims, according to the release. Customers can also text “Claim” to 62789 to receive a link to file a claim.

Those in the collision repair industry who would like to request disaster relief assistance from CIF can do so by calling 1-855-4CIFAID or filling out an online form. To donate, follow this link.

Damage was reported across Oklahoma Monday night into Tuesday morning when another round of severe storms hit bringing tornadoes, large hail, and destructive wind.

According to preliminary information from the Storm Prediction Center, six other states were hit with tornadoes Monday.

Images

All images of tornado damage in Nebraska and Iowa taken by State Farm and available here.