Severe storms in south Alabama during the past two weeks required mobilization of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) efforts in Escambia and Houston counties.
Most recently during the night of Feb. 23, three tornadoes touched down in Houston County causing damage to multiple structures, according to the National Weather Service.
Damage assessments were ongoing at press time, coordinated by Columbia Baptist Association church development director Ken Farley, who provides leadership for associational DR efforts.
One of the association’s chainsaw teams was out quickly to help Ray Jones, pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Dothan, who had a tree fall on his home. Teams had to wait until the power company gave the go ahead to enter one neighborhood where approximately 14 homes had sustained damage.
On Feb. 26 three chainsaw teams from Columbia Association were at work cutting and clearing downed trees, which had fallen on houses and other structures and littered yards in the area, Farley said.
“These were not big tornadoes but they hit close together so we have a good bit of damage in a fairly small area,” Farley said.
Farley said the affected area was not large enough to call in teams from other associations, though Columbia Baptists are utilizing a skid steer on loan from Alabama Baptist DR to move heavy debris around. He anticipates that local crews will continue to work in the area for the next week or two to clear trees and other debris.
Farley said the DR teams, churches and residents of Dothan and Houston County appreciate the prayer support of Alabama Baptists.
Leaders of Escambia Baptist Association also covet the prayers of Alabama Baptists as they continue helping a nearby community with storm recovery.
On Feb. 15 a tornado hit near the Alabama-Florida state line in Escambia County. At least 10 homes in the Flomaton area were damaged, but the nearby town of Century, Florida, was devastated, according to sources from Escambia Association.
At least 50 homes were damaged, many of them older and uninsured. Though the town is in Florida, the state line is meaningless to the close-knit communities, said Anna King, ministry assistant for the association who works with DR efforts.
“Many of those affected in Century are members of churches in our association,” King said. “Our plan is to channel assistance through our churches so the churches can connect with their people who need help the most.”
King said food and donations will continue to be needed, since many of those most affected lack adequate financial resources. She said that no federal assistance is expected because though many were affected, the damage would not meet the federal threshold for funds.
Donations will be used to help people repair their homes and meet other essential needs in the weeks to come, King said. The disaster also has motivated the association to get better organized to be prepared for major events in the future, she said.
“If something hits on a bigger scale, we want to know we can meet the needs of our people quickly, even before anybody else gets in here,” she said.
Farley added that situations like these are good reminders of the need for each association to have trained volunteers ready to mobilize in the aftermath of a disaster.
“No matter where you’re located you need team members, especially younger people, trained and ready,” he said. “Disaster relief is something you train and prepare for and hope you never need. But sooner than later you’re going to need it so you need to be ready.”
To assist Escambia Association with their efforts, contact King at 251-296-4640. To donate to Alabama Baptist DR efforts or to find out about training opportunities, visit sbdr.org.
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