Situation Report: HFI Responds to Arkansas and Mississippi Tornado Outbreak

Hope Force International is responding to the biggest outbreak of the year so far, and largest since early 2013 ? with 90 tornadoes across the Midwest and South wreaking devastation and heartbreak. Hope Force International has deployed seasoned staff and Reservists to Arkansas ? an area where 18 people lost their lives.

Fellowship Bible Church of Conway has graciously housed the HFI team and is offering hot meals while they focus on serving the needs in Vilonia, Mayflower and surrounding communities.   Our initial team of Reservists from TN, TX, FL and GA are tarping damaged roofs to mitigate further damage, and HFI?s trained chaplains are providing emotional and spiritual care.   According to HFI?s Incident Commander, Joey Stoltzfus, this tornado took the same path as one three years ago that destroyed the local school.   A new school that was recently completed ? one that the students had not even moved into ? was completely ripped apart.

 While surveying the damage today, Chaplains Chuck Duby and Glenda Alexander stopped in astonishment to see a large metal ?I-beam? impaled in the trunk of a tree.  Nearby, an elderly couple walked out to chat.   During the storm, F-4 tornado winds lifted their utility building off it?s foundation, carried it up the hill, over their home (now condemned) and somewhere else.   The only remnant they could find was the I-beam!  They just ?happened? to be away during the storm and expressed deep gratitude at being safe. 

There are many others who have been affected across the southern states who are grieving the loss of loved ones and homes.  Currently, plans are underway to also send a team of chaplains to Mississippi to offer emotional and spiritual care to hundreds who have been deeply traumatized by the tornado that ripped through the city of Louisville.  

Please continue to pray for the survivors, and for Hope Force as we continue to join in the response to this heart-wrenching need.