
Once a home in Huntersville, Tennessee. Photo: Cathy Farmer, Memphis Conference UMC
A spate of unseasonal storms is continuing to wreak havoc across the south and south-central United States. In the recent wave of storms, tornadoes in five southern states have caused at least 47 deaths. The states most affected are Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, with 24 of the deaths in the state of Tennessee.
In mid-January, tornadoes were reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Two died in the Missouri storms.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been in contact with presbyteries in the affected areas to determine how we can be of service. PDA stands ready to immediately assist with One Great Hour of Sharing funds and by sending members of the PDA National Response Team if outside assistance is needed. PDA will also be working with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and other ecumenical disaster response organizations to help disaster survivors recover from these storms.
Please keep the affected presbyteries, storm survivors and all who are responding to this crisis in your thoughts and prayers. |