Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) volunteers were called out to serve in Crawford County after a system of strong storms and tornadoes tore through the Midwest and South on Friday, March 31 and into the early hours of Saturday morning, April 1 killing at least 32 people. Four of those who died were in Illinois—one in Belvidere and three in Robinson. Thirty IBDR volunteers are currently on the ground ministering in the hard-hit towns of Robinson and Salem after arriving April 2.
IBDR State Director Arnold Ramage who is leading the relief efforts said they are seeing everything “from minor house damage to complete destruction. Some houses no longer exist.”
The teams include damage assessors, chainsaw crews, feeding unit, laundry/shower trailer, and chaplains. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that struck Crawford Country was an EF-3 with top wind speeds of 155 miles per hour. The tornado touched down at 8:58 p.m. staying on the ground and traveling into Indiana until 9:33 p.m., tracking 42 miles. Officials estimate approximately 50-100 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Ramage said the team members have had the opportunity to meet the homeowners they serve, some of whom “are in shock. They are very pleased to see us. Thankful we are here. Some are surprised we are here.”
One of the tornado victims was an elderly woman in Robinson. Ramage said IBDR was able to speak with her son-in-law, a Christian and a colonel in the Army Reserve, who said his mother-in-law was also a Christian. The colonel told Arnold having served in Desert Storm and other actions he had seen and experienced many things but, “When it’s family its much worse.”
Arnold explained the woman’s home “had been picked up and thrown approximately 500 feet, and that’s where they found her. We were able to go to the homeplace and move trees that were damaged.”
IBDR located some of the woman’s damaged possessions in the neighbor’s yard next door. Providing some comfort to her family, “We were able to go through [her possessions] and take them to him,” Ramage said. They were also able to help the neighbor with four to five trees that had been blown down in the yard.
Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Robinson is serving as homebase for the feeding team which is serving meals to the disaster relief volunteers.
Ramage, who’s been involved with disaster relief ministry for six years, said volunteers are still out assessing ministry needs in the area which he thinks will remain active at least through Friday, April 7.
Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief ministry is funded through individual and church donations made by people like you. When you give, 100% of your offering will assist efforts to meet the needs affected persons as well as mobilizing your Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers. To donate, visit IBSA.org.