Churches and organizations offering relief after devastating Mississippi tornadoes

Churches of Christ were among the first groups to respond with aid in Mississippi communities hit hard by strong tornadoes last weekend.

At least 21 were killed in Mississippi and another in Alabama as a devastating storm tracked across the Southeast Friday night, spawning multiple long-track tornadoes that destroyed thousands of homes.

The worst of the tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service, was an EF-4 with winds reaching 170 mph that traveled nearly 60 miles, passing through the small towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City on the western edge of Mississippi.

Two more strong tornadoes rated EF-3, with winds reaching 155 mph, caused severe damage on a 30-mile path through Black Hawk and Winona in central Mississippi and a 37-mile path through Monroe County — including the city of Amory — in east Mississippi.

The Rolling Fork Church of Christ’s building was damaged, but it is serving as the distribution location for the Nashville, Tenn.-based Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort in that area. A semitrailer with care boxes was planned for delivery there today, as was a truckload of supplies from the Bypass Church of Christ in Vicksburg, about 45 miles south.

“The outreach is just unreal right now,” said Rolling Fork minister Mike Yelverton.

The Lake Jackson, Texas-based Disaster Assistance Church of Christ is also helping there.

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The Rocky Creek Church of Christ in Lucedale plans to take a load of supplies to Rolling Fork on Thursday. Supplies can be donated at the Rocky Creek church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Wednesday.

The Oak Grove Church of Christ in Louisiana is collecting supplies to be delivered to Rolling Fork on Friday, along with the Northside Church of Christ in Lake Providence, La.

“The devastation, shock, and grief these people are experiencing is obviously beyond overwhelming,” said Oak Grove minister Archie Haley, who visited the battered community Tuesday.

“I talked to little girl, about 10, who sheltered from the storm just across the street from where I was working. I asked where she lived. She pointed at a destroyed house across the street surrounded by debris and destruction. I told her that Jesus and the people who had followed Him here would help her make it better.”

The Amory Church of Christ is also serving as a distribution site for Churches of Christ Disaster Relief. Food, clothing, cleaning supplies and hardware are available there for the community.

The nearby Aberdeen Church of Christ and Christian Chapel Church of Christ, along with the Winfield Church of Christ in Alabama, are helping with those needs. The Aberdeen church is accepting monetary donations for aid, and the Winfield church is accepting donated supplies through Sunday.

Another organization working with the Amory church is the Tipp City, Ohio-based Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team.

The North Tuscaloosa Church of Christ in Alabama also delivered several pallets of water there Saturday.

The Winona Church of Christ is serving as a disaster assistance station for that community, offering free meals and water.

This story is still being updated. If your congregation or group is helping with disaster relief, email information to Calvin Cockrell at [email protected].

Rolling Fork Church of Christ
39159 US-61
Rolling Fork, MS 39159

Amory Church of Christ
1005 Boulevard Dr N
Amory, MS 38821

Winona Church of Christ
701 Middleton Rd
Winona, MS 38967

Filed under: Amory Church of Christ Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team Disaster Assistance Church of Christ disaster relief Mississippi tornadoes National News Rolling Fork Church of Christ Top Stories Winona Church of Christ