By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are set to deploy in response to the destructive winter storm that devastated parts of the state over the weekend.
LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team will provide support, adding that a feeding team will begin preparing food that the American Red Cross will serve to 80-100 people at the Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe.
Statham said chainsaw teams have been activated in Louisiana and that he expected other state Baptist convention chainsaw teams will assist in operations that likely will last two to three weeks. He said Louisiana Baptists who are not part of the disaster releief organization can offer prayers for the teams that have been formed and for the victims of the storm.
“Pray for safety of those impacted and also for those responding,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “We have had several deaths, so pray that the power gets back home, that the linemen working to restore power are safe and that our volunteers stay healthy and travel with no issues.”
Statham said financial resources are needed, too.
“Last year taxed us,” he said. “A lot of people think we may not have done anything because we didn’t have a hurricane. But we spent a fair amount of money helping food banks with supplies during the food crisis. Activating our feeding and chainsaw units takes money that is needed so we can continue our mission.”
The winter storm that extended 1,300 miles covered many communities with ice, sleet and snow, canceled flights, closed roadways, downed power lines and trees and contributed to at least 30 deaths, including three in Louisiana, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. As of 9:45 am Tuesday, more than 551,000 people still were in the dark, including more than 93,000 in Louisiana.
Among those in the dark were residents and staff of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries in Monroe.
President and CEO Perry said while Faith Cottage, one of multiple homes that houses its HomePlace transitional living program for homeless women and children, never lost power, the remaining residents and staff are staying in the Compassion Center, a 5,000-sq.-ft. facility that provides food, school supplies, diapers, shoes, new clothing and other life essentials. The building is equipped with a generator, food and water.
Hancock commended the staff on their response during the difficult situation.
“Pray that power comes on soon,” Hancock said. “The children and staff and staying the multipurpose room in the Compassion Center but certainly need to be back in the cottages.”
Several churches opened their doors as warming stations, including First Baptist Church, Sterlington, North Monroe Baptist Church and Grayson Baptist Church.
Hundreds of truck drivers were stranded along Interstate 20 in between Monroe and Ruston on Tuesday due to icy conditions on the roadway. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker told KNOE-TV that “hundreds” of drivers were on the interstate for stretches of 20-30 miles long on Monday evening.
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