Grand Rapids, Mich. - "Judging by the damage reports, and how this season is starting, we're in for a heavy tornado season this year," said Bill Adams, disaster response director for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, following this weekend's deadly tornados in Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri.
The tornadoes cut a path of destruction 24 miles long across multiple counties in northwestern Tennessee. More than 24 people were killed and hundreds of families lost their homes.
"On Tuesday, we sent a team down to the affected area to see how we can help," Adams said. "With tornadoes, we don't immediately send in Rapid Response teams because the destruction is generally localized with clean up readily handled by local groups.
"Also our teams are equipped to remove trees from roofs and complete temporary repairs to protect the homes from the weather. In the case of last weekend's storms, whole houses have been destroyed. The needs in these communities will be long term, and will require complete rebuilds."
The CRWRC Early Assessment crew says that in several communities the damage from last weekend's storms is extensive. In the town of Marmaduke, Arkansas, half of the homes were destroyed. Adams expects that CRWRC will provide help for long term recovery, including home repair and reconstruction.
At the same time, CRWRC is continuing to respond to the needs of survivors of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Wilma, as well as the hurricanes of 2004. They are also preparing to respond to needs that will arise this hurricane season, which is expected to be worse than last year.
"CRWRC's niche is long-term recovery," explains Kristen deRoo VanderBerg, CRWRC communications coordinator. "That means that we continue helping disaster survivors even years after the storm has ended. At the same time, our volunteers are always ready to assess needs and do emergency repairs soon after the disaster strikes."
Following two years of heavier-than-average hurricane seasons, CRWRC now has more open disaster sites than ever. Financial donations are needed as they prepare for this year's tornado season. These can be given online at www.crwrc.org or by calling 1-800-55-CRWRC in the US or 1-800-730-3490 in Canada.
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is the relief, development and educational ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
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Henry Hess Director of Communications The Christian Reformed Church To learn more about the Christian Reformed Church visit www.crcna.org