The April 25 tornado outbreak left great damage to the North Carolina towns of Elizabeth City and Washington.
More than 35 volunteers from North Carolina Baptist Men (also known as Baptists on Mission) worked April 27 in both Elizabeth City and Washington to help homeowners clean up from the storm damage.
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Baptists on Mission Facebook photo Extensive damage April 25 in Elizabeth City and Washington has spurred recovery efforts through Baptists on Mission (or North Carolina Baptist Men). |
Volunteers from Elm Grove Baptist and Ross Baptist churches were in Bertie County to provide assistance because of the help they received from others two years ago.
On April 16, 2011, more than 25 tornadoes were reported in 33 North Carolina counties. Twenty-four people were killed, hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands were damaged. Eighteen of those 33 counties were declared disaster areas.
Preston Jernigan, pastor of Elm Grove Baptist in Colerain, said that many housing structures were damaged from Edenton to Elizabeth City.
Most of the contributed service from Elm Grove and Ross Baptist was chainsaw and cleanup work of debris on homes and roads in the area, Jernigan said.
Due to the extensive damage, there is a need for trained and untrained volunteers. Baptist Men can provide lodging and meals at local churches and they have on-site disaster relief coordinators at both locations.
Workers have given more than 1,000 volunteer hours and more than 30 clean up jobs have been completed with more to go. In addition, two people came to Christ.
To sign up to help, go to http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/April-Tornado-Severe-Weather.