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A fast moving front spawned tornadoes across the south and
midwest yesterday, including southern Alabama and
southwestern Georgia, leaving two communities with serious
damage and as many as 20 persons killed by the storms.
One tornado in Enterprise, Alabama, hit the high school in
the afternoon, ripping the roof off and killing 8 students,
the media is reporting today.
PDA has been in contact with South Alabama Presbytery and
has initial reports that First Presbyterian Church of
Enterprise received some damage in the storm.
PDA National Response Team members the Rev. Bobb Barnes and
Rick Turner have been deployed to Enterprise and will be
arriving Saturday afternoon in Alabama.
The following was received from Paul Luthman at Flint River
Presbytery. "A tornado hit Americus, Georgia around 9:30
p.m. on March 1. Details are still sketchy, but there are
two confirmed deaths and multiple injuries. It hit downtown
Americus, and caused considerable damage to businesses —
including a fire house and the local hospital. Thankfully,
First Presbyterian Church was not damaged, the staff is
safe, and (at this point) no members have serious issues
that we are aware of. First Americus is taking the lead in
the Presbyterian response."
PDA is working to deploy members of the National Response
Team to Americus as quickly as possible. In the meantime,
the Synod of South Atlantic Disaster Coordinator, the Rev.
Ken McKenzie, is providing coordination and communication to
the area. PDA is forwarding $10,000 to both South Alabama
and Flint River Presbyteries in support of their response
efforts in Enterprise and Americus. |
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