At least five people were killed and hundreds of homes — and at least two churches — were destroyed or damaged when tornadoes struck several Alabama communities on March 25. The deaths occurred in Calhoun County in east Alabama, where Ohatchee, Wellington and nearby communities were struck. Calhoun Baptist Association Director of Missions Roger Willmore said one church in the association, Wellington First Baptist Church, was “totally destroyed.” It is the second time the church

As a team of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers worked in Center Point to clear a yard following the Jan. 25 tornado that struck the area, a 79-year-old homeowner, Jeff Schatz, spoke to his son on the phone. “There are a bunch of bumblebees in my yard,” he said, describing the yellow hats and jackets of the chainsaw team. OVERWHELMING NEEDS The volunteers were helping clear the downed trees from Schatz’s deeply sloped backyard —

Mark Wakefield says Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have been working steadily for a long time as hurricane after hurricane has pounded the Southeast, starting with Hurricane Laura relief in Louisiana in August. And now they’re scattered across the state helping people clean up after Hurricane Zeta rolled through. Zeta made landfall Oct. 28, then cut a swath through the state throughout the night and into the early morning hours of Oct. 29. WORKING LOCALLY

Hurricane Zeta left a wide swath of damage across Alabama. While it is widespread, the most severe seems to be west of I-65. Teams are working in several counties. We have set up operations in Clarke and Mobile Associations. Many people are taking care of their own and their neighbors’ needs. In all cases, local associations are working in their areas. Other close by teams are helping where possible. At this time, Ron Warren is