As Disaster Relief teams from Ohio and Indiana state conventions assessed storm damage that left three dead in mid-March, one of the leaders on the ground was familiar to Illinois Baptists—former state Disaster Relief director Butch Porter.
At least three were reported dead in Ohio in a wave of storms that also left dozens injured in Indiana. Indiana Disaster Relief prepared to respond to damage in the towns of Selma and Winchester, with assessors, storm recovery, chaplains and a feeding unit said Porter, who now serves with Indiana.
After Porter and his wife Debbie relocated there from their Illinois home last year, they immediately engaged with the Indiana team. Porter is now Indiana state DR director.
“The majority of the tornado damage is minor and residents are taking care of their own needs,” said Ohio DR director John Heading. “However, Indian Lake was seriously hit and unfortunately is now a mass casualty event.”
Roads to the town were closed at the time of the report but have now reopened and the response has been completed.
Illinois callout
Fifty-three Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw volunteers from Dorrisville Baptist, First Baptist Harrisburg, Greater Wabash Association, Salem South Association, and Williamson Association responded to a callout on April 2 in Stonefort, IL. A line of severe storms came through the region the night before damaging several trees and at least 10 homes work was completed the following day.
—with reporting by Baptist Press