Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) is no stranger to catastrophe and volunteers know the importance of having ample support when a flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake or fire strikes. Alabama volunteers were called on by Southern Baptist DR Logistics to assist in the Monroe area of northeast Louisiana after nearly 5,000 homes had been damaged by floodwaters and President Barack Obama declared it a “major disaster” March 13.
Alabama DR cleanup and recovery teams worked alongside teams from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia and South Carolina.
DR assessments
At press time, floodwaters were receding and DR assessments were being made to connect volunteers with the needs.
Mel Johnson, DR strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said, “I have communicated with other state disaster relief directors and with Louisiana leadership to coordinate what may well prove to be a lengthy response effort for what has been labeled as epic flooding across the state.”
The Chilton Baptist Association DR team deployed early March 16 to assist in hands-on training and provide direction “for a community overwhelmed,” Johnson said.
One shower and one laundry unit deployed March 17 and will remain in operation for the foreseeable future to support teams and residents.
Additional teams, from Baldwin, Cleburne and St. Clair Baptist associations, were systematically dispatched March 18. Eight additional teams will then be dispatched as part of a rotational schedule for continued response.
“Please take a moment and pray as Alabama responds to assist our neighbors in an effort to bring help, healing and hope for families in crisis,” Johnson said.
(TAB)
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