Following the tornadoes that struck over the weekend in several states, – including North Carolina – N.C. Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Ministry has responded to damage in the central and western part of the state and sent volunteers to eastern Kentucky.
On March 2 tornadoes claimed the lives of at least 39 people in multiple states. There were 21 deaths reported in Kentucky, 13 in Indiana, three in Ohio and one in both Alabama and Georgia. In some areas of the country, entire communities were wiped away.
N.C. volunteers needed
N.C. Baptist Men sent a team leader Sunday to assess damage in Kentucky and assist the Kentucky Baptist Convention with relief efforts. A team is now working there in an area bordering Martin and Johnson counties. About 40 to 50 homes were reported damaged in that area. Volunteers are still needed to help with clearing debris and placing tarps on damaged roofs.
Efforts in Kentucky could continue for about two weeks before assessing future work in the area, said Gaylon Moss, who directs disaster relief and volunteerism for N.C. Baptist Men.
Teams also have been working in the Charlotte area and in Cherokee County in the Western corner of N.C.
In Cherokee County, where teams have been since Saturday, they have helped with about 30 projects. In the area, about 10 homes were heavily damaged and five were destroyed.
Working alongside volunteers from First Baptist Church in Murphy, N.C. Baptist Men has provided 2,500 meals to those in need. About 150 volunteers assisted with the effort. Teams plan to work in the area through Thursday.
For more information on how you can volunteer, contact Gaylon Moss at [email protected] or at (800) 395-5102, ext. 5605. Or, find out more here.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Baptist Press contributed information to this story.)