By Neisha Roberts
The Alabama Baptist
While the storm system that blew through the Southeast in November was a welcomed provider of rain for some in extreme drought areas, it was an unwelcome guest for others who were hit by 130-mph winds and damage from at least two EF-2 tornadoes.
In the early morning hours of Nov. 30, areas across the state were hit hard by the sweeping storm system that killed three people and injured several. Alabama Power reported 2,400 power outages statewide as the system moved west to east. A tornado was spotted crossing Interstate 22 in Marion County, 16–20 structures were destroyed in Jackson County and 50–60 homes were damaged in DeKalb County, among other areas in Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens and Winston counties.
Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statewide state of emergency Nov. 30.
According to Mark Wakefield, disaster relief (DR) and chaplaincy ministries strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Rosalie Baptist Church, Pisgah, withstood significant damage to its building. At press time members planned to meet in an undamaged part of the church for Sunday services Dec. 4.
Sand Mountain Baptist Association DR volunteers were deployed to serve the area, and assistance also came from DeKalb and Tennessee River Baptist associations. Volunteers worked on chainsaw crews and helped tarp roofs where needed.
Alabama Baptist DR volunteers from Muscle Shoals and ColbertLauderdale Baptist associations assisted in the Ashridge area of Winston County and volunteers from East Cullman, West Cullman and Walker Baptist associations assisted in Arley.
Morgan Baptist Association DR volunteers were deployed to assist their area and Shady Grove Baptist Church, Danville, which was damaged by the storm, and other volunteers were on standby at press time.
Wears Chapel Baptist Church, Huntsville, opened its doors to those in need, providing residents a safe place to charge cellphones and use the restroom.
According to Todd Panter, assistant to bivocational pastor Tim Payne, the church teamed up with the parent-teacher organization (PTO) of Central School in Huntsville, located next door to the church. The PTO group cooked meals in Wears Chapel Baptist’s kitchen through Dec. 3 with food provided from church members, local businesses and others.
“Some of our church members are then delivering the meals to those who cannot get to the church,” Panter said. “We also are serving meals in our fellowship hall to county workers and others. It’s a joint effort.”
Wears Chapel has exemplified what Alabama Baptists across the state are doing.
“We all have to step up and do what’s needed when something like this occurs. … It’s been a great group effort,” Panter said.
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