WVCSB pastors and leaders:
As many of you are watching the news and the devastation caused by the recent tornadoes across six states including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, you may be wondering if West Virginia Disaster Relief has been called upon to help. In order to keep you all informed, here is an update.
I just got off a conference call with Sam Porter, the National SBC Disaster Relief Director, and all of the state SBC DR coordinators. The DR coordinators for the states that were affected spoke to the extent of the damage, what they have in place, and their needs. States with the most damage and those needing outside assistance have reached out to well established DR states and Incident Management Teams. Feeding teams and recovery teams are on the way to assist. Local in-state DR teams have been called and should be on the ground assessing and starting work on Tuesday. States needing the most help are in pretty good shape for now, but this will take a long-term relief effort.
We are torn between wanting to run to Kentucky to help victims and assist our partners in ministry managing this disaster, versus pausing, stepping back, and sticking to our preparation for relaunching WV Disaster Relief, getting workers recredentialed, and building up new teams so we are better prepared to serve.
After prayerful consideration, I have decided on the latter because the states affected have good support at this time. Eventually, WV Disaster Relief will be called upon to assist other states; we are simply not there yet.
If you would like to financially support SBC Disaster Relief in the impacted states, please donate through our online WV Disaster Relief giving platform, wvcsb.org/tornadorelief.
Finally, the Kentucky Disaster Relief Director, Ron Crow, did mention he was in need of a shower trailer. Thanks to Roy Polmanteer and the Upper Ohio Valley Baptist Association, we were able to offer one for use if he chooses to use it. We can get it to him as early as tomorrow if needed.
Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in WV Disaster Relief. Please join us in praying for the victims and their families, and for our brothers and sisters who are serving and sharing the hope of Christ in the midst of tragedy.
Ted Duty (ted@wvcsb.org)
WVCSB Disaster Relief Coordinator
* Photo: A team with Kentucky SBC Disaster Relief in Scott County, KY helped clean up downed trees after an EF-1 tornado tore through Stamping Ground. (From Adam Burniston at WKYT, Lexington, KY)