During the late night hours of February 5, 2008 a line of tornado-producing thunderstorms roared across the southeastern United States. As of February 5, there were 68 confirmed tornadoes, but as many as 160 tornadoes were reported. In the wake of destruction across the region fifty fatalities were reported. Tennessee alone reported twenty-six deaths as at least 48 tornadoes ripped through the state.
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Couple sits on debris of home. |
As dawn approached on February 6, the Church of God’s Operation Compassion started receiving reports and requests for immediate assistance. By 8:00 a.m. Operation Compassion was staging product and moving equipment and personnel preparing for their disaster relief response. Tommy Willis, a Cleveland, Tenn. contractor and disaster relief partner, was preparing his heavy equipment necessary for debris clean-up.
Early in the morning, Tennessee State Representative Kevin Brooks began sending information to Operation Compassion from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and from other lawmakers gathered in Nashville. Brooks, an employee with Church of God Communications, is in session with the state legislature this week and lawmakers were gathering information from their districts. In addition, Rep. Brooks secured a location in Jackson, Tenn. for Operation Compassion to establish a disaster relief site.
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Dormitory at Union University in Jackson, TN |
In the ongoing effort to respond quickly, Operation Compassion mobilized their disaster relief network of partners. God’s Pit Crew and Randy Johnson have mobilized their tool semi loaded with clean-up equipment and a semi of disaster relief products. Feed the Children has offered to move food, water and other relief products to the disaster relief sites. Operation Outreach is also responding with disaster relief products. Gary LeBlanc of Mercy Chefs is setting up a mobile kitchen to serve hot meals to the survivors and volunteers.
Operation Compassion is setting up disaster relief sites in Mountain View, Ark. and Jackson, Tenn., complete with shower trailers, debris removal and clean-up crews and food distribution. Volunteers are being mobilized from Lee University to assist in the relief effort, including students at Union University, which was hit hard by a tornado leaving hundreds of dormitory residents homeless. Counseling services are also being provided by the Church of God Chaplain’s Commission.
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Sears roof ripped off in Memphis, TN |
During the next several days Operation Compassion will continue to assess and respond to needs as they arise. Undoubtedly, the story of this recent disaster is just beginning to unfold. As it does, YOU can be a part of the response. You can volunteer to work at a disaster site, provide a financial donation to move product or provide a product lead. Help those survivors of this deadly tornado outbreak.
Please send your donations to or contact:
Operation Compassion
Donnie W. Smith, D.Min., Executive Director of Care Division David Lorency, President Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator
114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370 Cleveland, TN 37312< 423.728.3932 Office 423.728.3958 Fax http://www.operationcompassion.org