Tornado Aftermath: Where To Get Help, How To Help

People walk by tornado damage in Springfield Thursday. (AP)

Emergency crews have arrived in the western and central Massachusetts communities affected by Wednesday’s tornadoes. At least three people are reported dead. Officials — including Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Scott Brown and Sen. John Kerry — are assessing the damage.

Where to get help:

• Dial 211: This call service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides residents with information on community services such as disaster relief, finding shelter and food assistance.
• Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services: If you are a veteran, contact your local VSO for assistance. You can find a listing of VSO offices here.
• Making disaster claims: The state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation has an online guide that explains how to go about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

How to help:

• Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay: Red Cross officials say donors can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or click on REDCROSS.org to make a donation of any size.

More:

• Leaders Tour Tornado Damage As Rescue Continues
• Earlier: Deaths Reported After Tornadoes Hit