LCC Disaster Response Deploying this Week to Help Assess Catastrophic Tornado Damage in Hardest-Hit Areas of Kentucky

Direct Hit in Bowling Green, Mayfield, Murray, & Paducah, Kentucky
 
Extensive Damage in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee
 
74 Confirmed Dead in Kentucky, 100+ Missing, Hundreds Injured & Displaced

Entire Cities Flattened, Widespread Devastation, 1,000 Homes Demolished, Power Outages

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
(Psalm 34:18)

On Friday, December 10 – Saturday, December 11, according to the latest FEMA report, at least fifty-two massive tornadoes paved an unimaginable, 200+ mile destructive path across seven states with 270 mph wind and 20 hail reports. Four highly-impacted quad-states – Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee – as well as Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi and Ohio sustained the most damage. Eighteen counties in Kentucky were impacted by tornadic activity, with some areas completely devastated. It is believed that a catastrophic EF-5 tornado touched down in both Mayfield and Taylor Counties. Buildings, homes, and complete neighborhoods leveled, power lines down, large trees uprooted, and dangerous debris scattered.

Latest FEMA Fatality/Injury Counts:
Arkansas: 2 confirmed fatalities, 24 injuries
Illinois: 6 confirmed fatalities
Kentucky: 74 confirmed fatalities, 109 unaccounted for
Missouri: 2 confirmed fatalities, 9 injuries
Tennessee: 4 confirmed fatalities, 74 injuries

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, have been monitoring storms and damage reports since the beginning. 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 to Kentucky. We will serve through Pastor Andy Toopes at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Bowling Green. Pastor Toopes also serves as a Law Enforcement Chaplain. So far, there are 13 confirmed deaths in Bowling Green, plus there are still many people missing.

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

LCC Disaster Response will be deploying soon to assess damage for work, chainsaw, debris removal, and ministering to those in need by supporting the church to show a Lutheran presence in their community.

A nearby LCC K-9 Ministry affiliate team will deploy as invited to be present with those impacted by the tornado that hit the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, to share love and compassion to the victims and first responders processing the grief they are experiencing.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC 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.

Please keep the church and the families affected by the tornadoes in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Kentucky to help during the long recovery process.

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND