A chainsaw operator sizes up how to begin removing a large tree trunk.
Illinois | Volunteers from Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) spent most of January helping downstate neighbors recover from a massive snow and ice storm. At least 95 IBDR volunteers were involved in the efforts that brought nearly 400 job requests and resulted in two salvation decisions by homeowners.
The state’s southernmost counties were covered in two-thirds of an inch of ice that brought down tree limbs and knocked out power to a reported 60,000 customers during the January 4-5 storm. As conditions became safe for them to work, IBDR began responding to requests to remove downed trees and tree limbs from homes and yards following the storm. Teams were nearly overwhelmed with 387 total requests. There were so many, that at one point, IBDR had to stop accepting new work requests.
Structural damage to homes in the area was limited. “The jobs are ranging from minor branches and twigs, up to and including limbs piercing the roof of homes,” said State Coordinator Arnold Ramage. “However, most of the jobs are occurring between the two extremes.”
Volunteers share the gospel message with homeowners and present them with a Bible signed by the team upon completion of their work. Ramage said of the salvation decisions, “This is our reason for going.”
An IBDR volunteers removes debris left behind following an early January ice storm that swept through southern Illinois.
Bad weather hampered early efforts allowing teams from Saline and Williamson Associations to work on January 9 before having to cease all action. Once the weather cleared, work began again in earnest on January 13 and they were joined by teams from Franklin, Greater Wabash, Kaskaskia, Salem South, and Three Rivers Associations. Most IBDR teams were comprised of assessors, chainsaw operators, and chaplains.
To help with the high volume of job requests, Mennonite volunteers from the Stonefort area and American Baptist teams assisted. At least 231 jobs were completed before incident command closed on Friday, January 24, with local teams continuing to fulfill requests as time allows.