Disaster Response L.E.R.T. Teams Preparing to Deploy to Tennessee to Help Families with Tornado Recovery

24 Deaths, Multiple Missing, 30 Rescue Workers Injured, Hundreds Devastated

 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

At 12:35 a.m., a tornado warning for Davidson County, Tennessee, which includes the Nashville area, was issued. The damage report in East Nashville came in at 12:41 a.m., indicating residents in East Nashville received around 6 minutes of lead time to take cover before it hit; other parts of Nashville had less than a 3-minute warning. A powerful storm tracked 150 miles producing 7 tornadoes near Nashville causing structural damages to residential and commercial areas, and power outages.

In less than 8 hours, LCC Disaster Response received an invite from Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response Director and Mid-South District President Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola to go into Nashville, Tennessee.

LCC NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP FAMILIES, HELP CHURCHES, AND PREPARE FOR DEPLOYMENT!

DONATE - LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE - DR EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response are deploying out this Thursday morning to meet with Mid-South District representatives and local pastors to do assessments to get things ready for L.E.R.T. Chainsaw teams to deploy.
 
Kathy O’Day is in close contact with Pastor Keith Enko from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hermitage, Tennessee and Pastor Andrew Smith from Heavenly Host Lutheran Church, School and Early Childhood Center in Cookeville, Tennessee.

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The tornado that hit downtown Nashville reportedly stayed on the ground into Hermitage, a neighborhood about 10 miles east. The city's historic Germantown neighborhood suffered significant damage. LCC has been informed that Donelson Christian Academy on the east side of Nashville sustained major structural damage. This academy is located a couple of miles from Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
Pastor Enko has been in contact with the principal of Donelson Christian Academy to offer classroom space a couple of classes.

Pastor Enko told Kathy, “I’m outside of the church picking up debris from a house heavily damaged next to church. Roof debris is scattered all over our property.”
 
According to Pastor Enko, one member home is heavily damaged and he’s still trying to contact members. He cannot get around town due to damage; 7 deaths in his town; 30-40 missing, including an elderly couple from his church.

Pastor Smith reports that one member home has been destroyed and he still cannot make contact with 3-4 members. He cannot get through many areas of town; at least 40 homes in town totally destroyed; still trying to contact church and school families.
 
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

Please keep all the above people in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy out in various locations.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.

Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

DONATE - LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE - DR EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.