Rubble where a home used to be. Photo: DNN
Members of our Presbytery of Arkansas Disaster Response Team (DRT) participated in a meeting of the Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ARVOAD) on April 9, at which member agencies reported on the ongoing work of their groups and heard of the work of others in response to recent tornados and flooding in Arkansas. The DRT will also participate in an all day conference with ARVOAD scheduled for April 14 in Mountain View.
One report of note was that of current reported damages. A total of 28 Arkansas counties report either “destroyed,” “major,” “minor” or “affected” damage. In light of the wind and water that hit our state since the ARVOAD meeting — on April 10 — that number will no doubt be rising.
The Synod of the Trinity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has committed a group of 40 people who will be on the ground on April 20-25 to work on building and rebuilding projects in Clinton. The group is from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, where former executive presbyter Bill Henning and his wife, Joy, served in an interim ministry capacity several years ago. Bill Bauer, spokesperson for the group said, "We have heard about the disasters in Arkansas and want to commit our people and time to your state for the next several months to help with the rebuilding." The group of volunteers called "Lend A Hand" has a roster of 800 members on stand by for projects such as these.
Our ongoing PC(USA) assistance to the Clinton area included 15 dressers that were shipped to Clinton Disaster Relief Coordination Center on April 10.
Our Presbytery of Arkansas Disaster Response Team has begun its long-term response phase to the areas affected by the tornados. Long-term response to the flooded areas of the state will begin at a later date. “Long-Term Response” means that the presbytery will be continuing to receive requests for assistance during that time and seek ways to provide for those who need help.
Storage Building Project to be Headquartered at Ferncliff
Photo: Rev. Carl McCormack
Our newest project is one that will see the construction of a number of storage sheds. The sheds will provide storage space for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged by recent tornadoes and floods. Scheduled for a May 1 start-up date, the project will be housed at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, working out of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Center built there two years ago in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Mission teams from Arkansas and around the nation will be invited to come and build pre-fab sheds for distribution in tornado and flood affected areas. As a short-term project this will give Presbytery of Arkansas’ churches another opportunity to do “hands on” ministry in our area. We will be able to deliver the sheds to a home where winds or floods have pressed people out of their homes, providing them with a shelter for their personal things.
Each shed will provide about 350 cubic feet of storage. Already Presbyterian Women have assisted in the purchase and placement of two of these in the Gassville area, with others to be delivered in the near future. Our Committee on Mission has given approval for the Disaster Response Team to begin this project as soon as possible.
Helping Others a Rewarding Experience
Mel and Carol Dunkel recently had a 2 Corinthians 9:12 kind of experience as they arrived in Gassville to deliver nearly two dozen new mattress sets. They were greeted by a family who had waited more than six weeks to have adequate bedding for their family and children. Mel and Carol shared what happened next: "When the family found out it was us who had made the delivery they came over to thank us with big hugs and just would not let us go. We Presbyterians really made a difference for that family." Again, thanks to Presbyterian Women for their effort to donate these much needed mattresses to those affected by the storms!
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Atkins
Living at “ground zero,” members of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Atkins have been involved in the community and presbytery’s response from the start. That involvement continues. Church member Beckie Tyson was recently elected secretary of a newly-formed "Greater Atkins Disaster Recovery Committee,” the goal of which is to monitor and respond to the "unmet" needs of those affected by the tornado. Mrs. Tyson is the managing editor of the Atkins Chronicle.
Flood Update
We are still waiting for the waters to recede so assessments can be made in these areas. This includes, but is not limited to, the counties of Randolph, Stone, Prairie, Jackson and Monroe.
The Disaster Response Team is currently assisting with projects in Pope, Baxter, Marion, Stone and Van Buren Counties in Arkansas.
Late Breaking News
As this release was being prepared, we have received word that the windstorms of April 10 resulted in significant damage to the roof and to a 100-year-old wall of stained glass at Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, and that First Presbyterian Church of that same city also sustained damage to their roof and windows.
The Disaster Response Team will be working with these congregations and with sources at the Synod and General Assembly level to assist in their recovery.
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