With the additional tornado damage in the Midwest a week after the Mississippi/Alabama tornadoes, the responses by Baptist Disaster Relief (BDR) have expanded.

Arkansas:
Arkansas BDR along with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), Texas Baptist Men (TBM), and Oklahoma BDR are responding.

Feeding operations at Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, and Wynne areas are in partnership with Salvation Army. Command post sites in those towns are fully running to do chainsaw recovery work and chaplaincy as well as feeding, with all the accompanying support systems (shower/laundry, assessment, Incident Management). Send Relief has sent roof tarping supplies and “MRE-type” meals in support of the efforts.

Currently, Arkansas does not need additional states to respond, but as assessment becomes clearer and response continues, they may request further assistance.

Alabama:
Alabama BDR is conducting a response using local units near the damage areas of their state.

Mississippi:
The Arkansas tornado has caused major changes in the Mississippi response. Arkansas BDR was assisting in Rolling Fork, but needed to pull back teams to instead respond in the Little Rock areas. Also, Mississippi BDR has redirected recovery teams that were planning to assist in Rolling Fork and Amory to the areas impacted by the additional storms. This will probably require support from Louisiana and Alabama BDR recovery teams in Rolling Fork or Amory. An Alabama feeding team was called in to Rolling Fork as well, to replace the Arkansas team now needed in their own state.

Local or nearby MS units are assisting in areas such as Desoto County, Pontotoc County, Grenada-Winona/Carrollton.

Tennessee:
Tennessee BDR is currently responding in Covington, McNairy County, and Morristown. They are currently not sure if they will need further support.

Iowa:
Windshield surveys and assessments by Illinois and Missouri BDR determined that Iowa did not require BDR response as damage was scattered.

Illinois:
Illinois BDR is responding in Robinson, Salem, and Sherman. Illinois has talked with Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri about potential support.

Indiana:
Indiana BDR is responding at two sites: Lafayette and Sullivan.

Georgia: 
Georgia BDR continues to respond to tornado damage in Troup County/West Point, GA.

Current Prayer Needs: 

1. Pray for the survivors of these traumatic storms, that they will receive the help they need that will point them to the hope that Christ brings.
2. Pray for Arkansas, Texas Baptist Men, Southern Baptists of Texas, and Oklahoma BDR as the response to hard-hit Arkansas develops.
3. Pray for those affected again in Mississippi and for teams responding in those towns.
4. Pray for those responding in Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana.

Donations for Disaster Relief efforts can be made by clicking the button below. Financial donations are most helpful, as necessary equipment and supplies can be bought in bulk to ease transportation, handling, and storage logistics. Thank you for your continued support!

Churches, please remember that donated items should only be collected if you make an arrangement IN ADVANCE with someone in the affected area who is willing to receive and distribute the items, and you have a plan for transporting and unloading the items.