In response to the recent tornadoes in Georgia and South Carolina, PDA has sent members of the National Response Team and stands ready to assist with One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds.
A series of strong thunderstorms moved across northern Georgia and South Carolina March 15, creating a number of EF-2 tornadoes that raked downtown Atlanta and surrounding areas. At least 17 tornadoes in South Carolina damaged more than 300 houses.
At least three presbyteries have been affected by these storms — the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Cherokee Presbytery and the Presbytery of New Harmony.
There are reports of damage to student housing at the Interdenominational Theological Center in downtown Atlanta, and one church in the Presbytery of New Harmony sustained damage.
PDA National Response Team (NRT) member and Synod Disaster Coordinator the Rev. Ken McKenzie has been in touch with the Presbyteries of Greater Atlanta and Cherokee, and he visited the affected areas in Cherokee Presbytery.
NRT members, the Rev. Alonza Washington and Rick Turner, have been in contact with Associate Executive for Mission Cassandra Morrow in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and Executive Presbyter Judd Shaw in the Presbytery of New Harmony, to offer support to the presbyteries in assessing the damage and developing a response to these storms.
Updates will be posted to the PDA Web site as information on the response is available.
Please keep the affected presbyteries, storm survivors and all who are responding to this crisis in your thoughts and prayers.
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