Tornadoes leave their mark on state; DR volunteers immediately assist

Tornadoes leave their mark on state; DR volunteers immediately assist

By Neisha Roberts

The Alabama Baptist

Scattering themselves across the state, seven confirmed tornadoes left their mark the weekend of Jan. 21–22.

According to the National Weather Service, the strongest tornado, an EF2, hit Choctaw County on Jan. 21 with winds up to 120 mph causing four injuries, destroying four structures and damaging 24 structures in total.

Other smaller tornadoes hit Marengo, Pike and St. Clair counties. In Lee County two tornadoes hit in different areas Jan. 21 and an EF1 tornado hit Opelika on Jan. 22, causing damage to the Pepperell Village area.

Tuskegee-Lee Baptist Association Director of Missions (DOM) Bill King told The Alabama Baptist that a team of seven associational disaster relief volunteers worked for several hours at a home with severe damage in Pepperell Village.

A tree near that home was in the way of Alabama Power, preventing the return of power to the area, so the Tuskegee-Lee team was able to use their chainsaw crew to remove the tree and debris, King said.

King and Ann Newton also served as chaplains on the association’s team.

“Our disaster relief team has been all over the country to serve when called on,” King said, “but it’s especially meaningful when we’re able to help our folks right here at home. We’re able to get there faster and help them immediately.”

Destroying homes

A storm hit Judson Baptist Association’s area and destroyed former DOM Bob Pemberton’s home near Columbia, along with tearing down trees throughout the area. Pemberton, who now serves as interim pastor at Hebron Baptist Church, Columbia, and his wife, Evelyn, were not at home when the storm rolled through and are now staying in a house offered to them while they make plans for the future.

According to Dina Burdeshaw, Judson Association’s ministry assistant, the associational disaster relief team worked during the week following the storm to help clear debris and remove downed trees where needed.

Because Mississippi and Georgia both sustained severe damage from tornadoes over the weekend, Mark Wakefield, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions disaster relief and chaplaincy ministries strategist, said Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were at the ready if either neighboring state called for assistance.

A request for assistance came in Jan. 28 from Albany, Georgia, and a team from Columbia Baptist Association began work Jan. 30. They are using the state heavy equipment in their cleanup efforts.