Chainsaw teams from Saline and Williamson Baptist Associations completed 17 jobs on January 9. Facebook photo
Marion | Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers are responding to damage caused by an ice storm that brought two-thirds of an inch of ice to southern Illinois with work anticipated to start January 13. Meanwhile, a planned trip to aid in Appalachia after Hurricane Helene is on hold because of the call out, and Illinois leaders wait for a possible call to California, where wildfires continue to cause record losses in around Los Angeles.
The January 4-5 snow and ice storm in southern Illinois left nearly 60,000 homes and businesses without power for most of the week. Forecasters expect 2-5 additional inches of snow to fall on the region over the weekend, which could weigh down and further weaken ice-covered tree branches.
By Friday morning IBDR had already received nearly 250 requests for assistance in removing downed trees and tree limbs from property.
“The main damage has been within a 20 mile-radius of Highway 13 spanning almost five counties,” State Coordinator Arnold Ramage said.
Assessors have already been out in the field laying the groundwork for teams. Incident command and teams will be housed at Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Dorrisville served as a warming center following the storm, serving at least 200 community residents. Cornerstone Baptist Church in Marion also served as a warming center after the storm.
Members of a team from Williamson Baptist Association assess their work. Facebook photo
“The jobs are ranging from minor branches and twigs, up to and including limbs piercing the roof of homes,” said Ramage. “However, most of the jobs are occurring between the two extremes. But structural damage has been limited.”
Although work is expected to begin January 13, he noted, “The starting date is dependent upon the current weather conditions.”
Chainsaw teams from Saline and Williamson Baptist Associations were able work safely in Harrisburg, Marion, and their surrounding communities completing 17 jobs on January 9. But due to the icy conditions, no roof work could be done.
Teams from the two associations were scheduled to travel to North Carolina in mid to late January assist people impacted by Hurricane Helene with essential home repairs. Due to the ice storm, the teams have postponed their trips until a date still to be determined.
California wildfire response
As multiple wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles County, California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (CSBDR) Director Kendrick Neal has been in communication with Los Angeles city officials, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and local churches. According to the California Baptist State Convention website, CSBDR has been asked to “help with support at the Local Assistance Centers, spiritual care, and clean-up once the fires have been contained.”
Baptist Press reported Arizona Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is also preparing to mobilize and assist CSBDR in their efforts.
Here in Illinois, Ramage said, “Illinois is standing by in the event we are requested to respond to the California wildfires.”