Episcopal Relief and Development is assisting tornado victims in the Diocese of West Missouri following a series of storms in early May. Several deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest, Mississippi Valley, and Southern regions of the United States. The storms caused millions of dollars in losses throughout several Missouri communities. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or completely destroyed and hundreds of people were left homeless.

"The municipality of Carl Junction had 577 of [its] 700 dwellings damaged, and over one hundred were destroyed," said the Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe, Bishop of West Missouri. Bishop Howe also said that many homes in a low-income area in Liberty were directly hit by the storm.

Episcopal Relief and Development is providing support for repairing infrastructure and homes in the western Missouri cities of Carl Junction, Liberty, and Camdenton. On behalf of the people in the Episcopal Church, ERD has advanced $15,000 in emergency assistance to the Diocese of West Missouri to meet each community's needs.