By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
MONROE, La. (LBM) – A week after Winter Storm Fern knocked out power to thousands and scattered debris across properties in north Louisiana, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been busy helping those impacted.
Since Jan. 27, a feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston has prepared 2,200 meals, collectively, in West Monroe, Monroe and Rayville.
Additionally, since Jan. 29, teams from Lake Charles, CENLA, Covington and Denham Springs (working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe) have assessed 79 homes and completed 32 of the 127 chainsaw jobs that have been requested by individuals. Louisiana teams at First Baptist Church, Schwartz, have shared the Gospel 13 times, prayed with 26 individuals, distributed six Bibles and recorded 45 showers taken on-site.
Meanwhile, Arkansas Baptist DR chainsaw and feeding, Missouri laundry and Texas shower teams are working out of First Baptist Church, Delhi, while Arkansas chainsaw and shower teams are stationed at Providence Church (non-denominational), Lake Providence.
Louisiana Baptist DR Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock asked for continued prayers as teams continue to pick up the pieces and share Christ’s love.
The financial impact of Fern was significant, with estimates expecting it to result in damages and economic losses totaling between $105 billion and $115 billion.
The storm which extended 1,300 miles affected 200 million people in the Southeast, led to tens of thousands of canceled flights, schools and business closures, and supply chain disruptions.
Fern contributed to 100 deaths, including nine in Louisiana, also caused significant loss of power. At the height of the storm more than 1 million people and businesses lost power in the eight states affected by the storm.
Eight days after Fern hit on Jan. 23, a total of 808,997 people were still without power, according to PowerOutage.us. But energy crews working non-stop had cut into that figure and on Monday, Feb.2, at 2:05 p.m. only 150, 292 were still waiting for their power to return.
Tennessee was hit the hardest by the storm, with 252,168 customers reporting outages, but as of Monday only 27,259 were still in the dark, followed by 47,442 outages in Mississippi and 5.498 outages in Louisiana. Other states reporting outages were West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Texas.
“Pray for the survivors, that they are able to get assistance and for all the power to be restored,” Morelock told the Baptist Message. “Pray for volunteers as they are fulfilling their ministry through disaster relief. And pray for the safety of everyone that is involved in the response.”
LBCHFM
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries residents and staff made the most of an extended power outage inside the Compassion Center, a 16,000-sq.-ft. facility that provides food, school supplies, diapers, shoes, new clothing and other life essentials. Though most of the campus did not have electricity, the building was equipped with a generator, food and water.
Staff entertained the children with board games, puzzles, movies, video games and even a birthday celebration.
LBCHFM President and CEO Perry Hancock said electricity was restored on Jan. 31 to the cottages that house the children and the rest of the campus on Feb. 1.
“We are so grateful for all who provided support the past week while our campus at LBCH was without power due to damage from the ice storm,” Hancock said. “Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief crews worked tirelessly clearing campus roads of fallen limbs and trees. Church groups provided meals.
“And our staff was simply incredible, providing care for our children and families in the most difficult conditions. We are grateful to the Lord for sending so many friends to meet our needs,” Hancock continued. “God bless you all.”
Those in need of assistance through the Louisiana site at McClendon Baptist should call 318.955.8207 or email ops1.ladr@gmail.com. Individuals needing assistance from the teams out of FBC Delhi should call 800.410.3492. Donations to DR efforts can be made on the LBDR website.
