LCC Disaster Response Serving in Selma, Alabama, to Help Families in Recovery Efforts from Multiple Catastrophic EF-3 Tornadoes

Helping Impacted Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas
 
Nine lives lost in Alabama and Georgia

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

On Thursday, January 12, a strong storm system moved through four states with high winds, large hail, and a tornado outbreak, including thirty-eight powerful tornadoes, of which three were long-track EF-3 tornadoes with 110+ mph winds that caused major damage to homes, businesses, and schools. There was a loss of nine lives in Alabama and Georgia from this storm.
 
One EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 23 miles through Selma, Alabama. It affected one-third of the town. In Selma alone, 3,300 homes, businesses, schools, and churches were damaged or destroyed by the tornado. This was part of a long-track EF-3 tornado that went through three states with 150 mph winds. It was on the ground for 76 miles and was ¾-mile wide going through Selma and into Georgia.

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Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response has been invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, and Rev. Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, to provide chainsaw assistance with the lift and heavy equipment, and assist residents in sorting and salvaging belongings in the lower income, hard-hit neighborhoods of Selma, Alabama.
 
Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) staff and volunteer teams will be serving homeowners through Pastor Steve Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma, Alabama, from Sunday, January 22, to at least Saturday, February 4.

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“All I Could Do Was Cry Out to God to Protect Me” Shares a Wife Who Sheltered in Place

Mrs. H. walked with Martin Luther King, Jr. across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the civil rights March in 1965 and now gives tours and shares stories of her beloved Selma. She has seen so many changes during the last several decades, but the destruction she sees everywhere now brings her to tears and causes her heart to ache for her community. She is very grateful that her home was not damaged by the three very large pine trees that fell in her yard and next to her home.
 
She told us how scared she was to hear the sounds of trees falling and glass breaking as the tornado passed through her neighborhood. She stated, “All I could do was cry out to God to protect me.” After it passed, she went outside to see many of her neighbors' homes destroyed. She could hear some crying out for help under debris, and she could just cry and pray. Thankfully, no one perished, but many of her friends have lost everything.
 
She is so grateful for all of the help that has arrived to help her community. She was especially thankful for the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers that worked at her home all day to make it safe again.

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Church Member Homeowner Serves Alongside of L.E.R.T. Team

Agnes is a Trinity Lutheran Church member who wanted to give back to her community by serving with our L.E.R.T. volunteers. She has spent a couple of days out with the team and loves the Christ-centered care shown to her neighbors and the joyful hearts of the workers as they serve. Agnes has considered it a blessing to serve and learn what we do. She, too, has been a blessing to us.

Helping an Elderly Gentleman Who Rode Out Storm in His Closet

Carl is an elderly gentleman who rode out the storm in his home's closet. He heard the freight train coming, trees cracking and falling, and part of his roof coming off. He feared his home would be totally destroyed and that he would be killed. As he stated, “I prayed for the Lord to keep me safe, and he heard my prayer.”
 
He had a lot of tree damage, and a large limb came through his roof. He feels he was blessed as he looks at all of the homes destroyed and loss around him. He was very thankful for the professional help and care shown to him.

LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response 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.

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff, as we serve in the hardest-hit area of Selma, Alabama, to help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.