NASHVILLE (BP) — Deadly storms across several states have spurred Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams into action while they also keep tabs on even more potentially violent weather in the coming days.

Media reports count the current death toll as high as seven, with six of those in Tennessee alongside a local fire district chief’s death in Missouri.

Missouri Disaster Relief was still in active response at three locations from March 14 tornadoes before last night’s storms, director Gaylon Moss told BP. One of those active responses has been paused to assess immediate needs.

Day teams are going to Nevada, Mo., site of an EF-1 twister, to help with cleanup and distribute tubs to residents. A shower unit and feeding unit have been dispatched to First Baptist Church in Delta, with chainsaw assessment to be determined, while assessments are also ongoing in the city of Potosi.

“Pilot Grove had an EF-2 and there is damage, but no response is needed from us due to community volunteers,” he said. “They have our contact info if something comes up. Pray for those affected.”

A pastor in western Tennessee shared with Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Executive Director Randy Davis the loss of two lives in his church. Expressing his condolences for that news, Davis noted that the length and intensity of the storm was expected to have produced more.

“That does not diminish the tragedy of the lost life or destroyed property,” he said. “I am definitely praying for people across our state, and especially through this afternoon and this evening with more dangerous weather predicted.”

Wes Jones, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief’s (TBDR) state director, said efforts are ongoing while leaders continue to monitor the forecast.

“We currently have members of TBDR teams making calls, and in certain areas, assessing damage. From what we’ve been able to learn so far, the damage is not nearly as extensive as we were afraid we might find once it got light,” he said. “Given what was tracking on weather radar last night, we anticipated significant loss of life and property, so we thank God. Our prayers are certainly with the families and communities who lost loved ones or suffered property loss.

“Our biggest concern right now is flooding. We have some areas that are prone to flood quickly, and if we get the level of rain predicted this afternoon and overnight, and possibly into Saturday, we could have some serious issues in some areas of our state.”

Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Todd Gray said efforts are focusing on hard-hit areas in the western part of that state, though damage has also been reported elsewhere, including Louisville.

“Our Disaster Relief Director, Ron Crow, has been working the phone and reaching out to Kentucky Baptist associational leaders across the state and churches prepared to host DR teams if needed,” he said. “As always, Kentucky Baptist DR workers are ready to deploy with two units currently doing work in Missouri following the recent storms there.”

Multiple warnings from the National Weather Service have called on residents to prepare for heavy rains that will lead to flooding. The Ohio River’s flood stage is 40 feet. It is expected to pass 51.5 feet by Sunday.

“We are praying and watching over the next few days as continued heavy rain is forecasted which could result in another round of flooding in our state. I am continually grateful for how Southern Baptists rally together when these storms come. Our Disaster Relief workers represent the very best of who we are,” Gray said.

Arkansas towns like Lake City, Bay and Monette dealt with damage including downed power lines and electric poles alongside homes and other structures. The NWS categorized a tornado that hit Lake City as “catastrophic.”

Assessors for Disaster Relief and chaplaincy are canvassing the state, said Arkansas Baptists’ Missions Team leader Sam Roberts. Tornadoes hit the northeastern part of the state, which happens to be a particularly strong area for Disaster Relief teams.

That, coupled with tenuous forecasts, will place the immediate response in the hands of those local teams, Roberts said. Once the other storm lines pass, other teams will travel in as needed.

“Everything right now is preliminary,” he told Baptist Press (BP). “We already knew this, but when a storm hits a farming community, that community responds quickly. They have a lot of equipment and a lot of manpower.”

The DR’s Box Ministry, where volunteers help homeowners gather valuables, will also spring into place.

“We’ve received reports that pastors are meeting with first responders throughout the night, praying with families and reaching out as best they can in their communities,” said Roberts. “The weather is very unstable, so we’re preparing for more storms.”

Ed Gillham, associational missionary for Mt. Zion Baptist Association in Jonesboro, said First Baptist Monette’s Family Life Center was heavily damaged.

“They sent me a video of it and at first I thought they were standing outside, but it was video from the inside of the building looking past where the walls used to be,” he said.

Gillham shared that First Baptist’s pastor, Jared Russell, was at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston for his wife Nancy’s cancer treatments.

“There was some damage to the church’s sanctuary and parsonage as well,” said Gillham. “Three families in the church lost their homes, with at least one of those having lost everything to a tornado five years ago on a similar track. Mainly, though, everyone is thankful and praising the Lord there were no fatalities or major injuries.” 

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)