A large group of storms rolled through Alabama’s southern counties during the morning hours of March 9. There were no fatalities but several homes and businesses in Silverhill, Mount Vernon and Theodore were damaged because of tornado touchdowns.
Since the tornado damage was contained in a few areas of the state, Alabama Baptists’ disaster relief response was managed locally, said Mel Johnson, disaster relief coordinator for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
“Teams were out to help homeowners save property … and to minister to the community,” Johnson said.
At press time, Baldwin Baptist Association had sent two teams out to assist the community of Silverhill, where eight homes had significant damage from an EF2 tornado.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado traveled a little more than a mile and a half and was 150 yards wide at times.
The teams were involved in relief efforts such as putting tarps on roofs and using a Bobcat and other machinery to move trees and other debris, Director of Missions Rick Barnhart said. Disaster relief chaplains ministered to the families affected and other area residents.
“It’s pretty phenomenal. We were just so blessed that there were no significant injuries. That was just totally by God’s grace,” Barnhart said.
First Baptist Church, Silverhill, had 40 people out serving meals and providing groceries to families affected the evening after the storm and the next day.
The Mobile Baptist Association began assessment of damage in Mobile County immediately after the tornadoes were reported, Director of Missions Thomas Wright said. “We have not had to activate any of our local or state Disaster Relief units to respond to the damage,” he added.
Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency because of the severe weather that impacted the state.
Seventeen counties reported some kind of storm damage. (TAB)
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