Floodwaters in West Virginia caused massive damage.
MORRISTOWN — In the wake of the floods that struck Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, God’s Warehouse Ministries has mobilized a rapid response effort to deliver critical supplies to affected communities.
The multi-state flood hit on the weekend of Feb. 15, leaving at least 14 dead.
This disaster not only comes after the region’s recent recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene but also amid severe winter weather conditions including snow and ice.
“The three states — Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia — have been devastated in many areas, and, adding insult to injury, the freezing temps have caused even more hardships,” said Don Owen, director of the Nolachucky Baptist Association Disaster Relief and God’s Warehouse.
As of Feb. 21, eight loads of supplies have been shipped to the three states affected. On Feb. 17, God’s Warehouse Ministries had already dispatched two truckloads of emergency supplies to Pikeville and Elkhorn City, Ky.
“God has blessed, and our great volunteer team continues to work day-after-day to sort, inspect, pack and prepare for shipment the critical donated supplies,” Owen said.
“We continue to be in great need of new socks, boys and girls under garments, toilet paper, paper towels, baby diapers and non-perishable food. Also, we are continually being asked for small electric and propane heaters as well as new blankets,” he said in an email update.
“For the cleanup needs we are almost out of plastic garbage bags and bleach. We are completely out of mops, brooms and shovels,” he added in the email.
Those interested in supporting the relief effort can visit the Nolachucky Baptist Association website’s Disaster Relief section for a list of needed supplies and information about making financial donations. Visit NolachuckyBaptistAssociation.org for more information.
Donations can also be made to Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief at tndisasterrelief.org/contributions.
Last month, 94 people participated in a training event at First Baptist Church Dandridge. The event added 32 new volunteers to their ranks, while 12 existing volunteers renewed their certifications. Twenty-one of the participants were completely new to the organization’s disaster relief efforts. B&R
