Current Response Efforts

Flooding in Eastern Kentucky

Thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and donations from individuals, FAIC deployed a team of three National Heritage Responders (NHR) volunteers to Whitesburg, Kentucky, from November 7-11, 20022, to assist institutions impacted by flooding in late July. Luca Ackerman, Siri Linz, and Steve Pine worked with staff from Appalshop, a site that documents and revitalizes the traditions and creativity of Appalachia, to help salvage thousands of quarter-inch open reel tapes in their collection. The volunteer responders also trained Appalshop staff in cleaning the reels and helped them organize damaged materials and consider various storage options for collections.

FAIC staff members have remained in close contact with the Kentucky Arts Council to understand the needs on the ground. FAIC has also sent several shipments of personal protective equipment and recovery supplies, including HEPA vacuums, to several institutions in Eastern Kentucky. Two additional deployments to the region are planned for spring 2023. 

To assist FAIC in these recovery efforts, donate at https://www.culturalheritage.org/donate. 

For Help After a Disaster

Museums, libraries, archives, and other collecting institutions: Call NHR responders 24/7 at 202.661.8068 for free advice.

Recovery Resources

• Wet Recovery
  
  • Video: Dealing with Water
  • Video: Dealing with Mud
  • Video: Dealing with Mold
• Read NHR Tip Sheets on response and recovery.
• Apply for an Emergency Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) assessment if you are an eligible museum. For more information, visit www.culturalheritage.org/emergency-cap or email CAP@culturalheritage.org. 
• Saving Family Treasures
  
  

   FEMA Tip Sheet: After the Flood: Tips for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures"

How Can I Help?

• Prepare your institution or practice before emergencies by participating in suggested Mayday activities.
• Donate to FAIC to support Emergency programs like NHR, or to another member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
• Watch for emails from us requesting specific items or local assistance.
• Learn more about the National Heritage Responders team, their training, and the work they do upon their deployment, which only after first responders secure the area and do the work of saving lives. While donations to the Emergency Fund fund their travel and accommodation costs, all NHR team members are volunteers who donate their time and efforts when emergencies occur.