Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers on the ground in Augusta, Ga. where Hurricane Helene came barreling through as a tropical storm Friday (Sept. 27). A feeding team arrived Saturday and is serving with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief (MBDR). Additional feeding team volunteers are preparing to leave Oct. 3 along with a shower/laundry team. Chainsaw and flood recovery teams, plus chaplains and assessors are also anticipated to be sent within days.
“This will possibly be the largest callout that Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief will be involved with in the last several years,” said Arnold Ramage, IBDR State Coordinator. “Damage is extensive and widespread. In fact, it’s the largest I’ve been involved in.” As of Monday (Sept. 30) afternoon, at least 104 deaths have been confirmed in six states – Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The Augusta area, located in the northwestern part of the state next to the South Carolina border, received more than the forecasted tropical storm force-winds of 30-40 mph with the National Weather Service reporting a wind gust of 82 mph – a hurricane force gust – at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday. According to local news reports, at least 23 deaths, including those of five children, in the area have been attributed to the storm.
Jennifer Smith, IBDR Chaplain Coordinator, said Illinois Baptists can be praying for all those involved. “Hurricane Helene was a major disaster for so many people across our Southeastern states and they need our prayers as well as all our volunteers who are out being the hands and feet of Jesus,” she shared.
The feeding team is working out of Fleming Baptist Church which saw part of its roof blown off by damaging winds. MBDR volunteers immediately put a tarp on the roof upon arrival. After quickly setting up the kitchen, partnering with the Red Cross, volunteers prepared and served 720 meals.
Georgia Power’s damage estimates tell the story of just how bad the destruction is in Augusta. According to the company, Hurricane Helene “was the most destructive hurricane” in its history. Its initial damage estimates include repairing or replacing 5,000 power lines along with 9,000 spans of wire equivalent to an estimated 425 miles. They will also need to replace at least 500 transformers and remove 1,500 or more trees from power lines.
On Friday afternoon, more than 220,000 Augusta area residents were without power. By Monday morning that number had been reduced to 145,458 residents. The company estimates all power will be restored by Oct. 5.
Volunteers can expect to serve onsite from five to seven days. Trained volunteers may contact Ramage with their intent to serve via email or by phone at (618) 889-1938. All volunteers must have a current IBDR badge to participate in a callout.
Ramage expects IBDR volunteers to have many opportunities to serve. “It will take months for this work to be completed,” said Ramage.
It’s important to remember disaster relief volunteers in your prayer because seeing so much pain and devastation can take a toll on them. “Pray that our volunteers will have a heart of compassion and serve well,” Smith said. “Pray also that this will be an opportunity for Christ’s Kingdom to grow and expand to really touch many people and that God uses this as an opportunity reach people who are normally closed to the gospel.”
While the Cooperative Program pays for the support network, volunteers travel and serve at their own expense. The average cost to send teams to the response area is $3,000. To donate to help Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief assist survivors of Hurricane Helene, visit IBSA.org/about/donate. Checks may be made payable to Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief and sent to IBSA, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703.
IBDR has almost 500 trained volunteers who serve on chainsaw and flood recovery teams, with shower, laundry, and food service, and at every callout, as chaplains.
IBDR is a partner with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR), part of the SBC’s Send Relief compassion ministry. It is the third largest disaster relief organization, after the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Send Relief is currently supporting dozens of SBDR sites deployed in six southeastern states (see the map above) with teams mobilized in response to Hurricane Helene from 14 states so far.
For more information about Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief, visit IBSA.org/dr. IBDR is a volunteer organization ministering with the Illinois Baptist State Association.