North Alabama Response Update

We currently have 14 chainsaw crews working in 10 associations. Ron Warren, State Chainsaw Coordinator has directed Alabama’s chainsaw response effort. Damage is sparsely scattered across the central to northern part of the state but can be moderate to heavy in certain areas. Straight-line winds have resulted in downed trees and power lines. Power companies are reporting a peak outage of 200,000 with a current outage of 82,000. Power restoration is estimated to be completed by 3/21.

Chaplains have deployed with all crews and are conducting community ministry in areas of need. Mark Wakefield served today in the Kilpatrick area of DeKalb Association and offered services to local first responders as well as the local Hispanic community.

Heavy equipment has been dispatched to Oxford and Etowah in support of crews on site. One shower unit has been deployed to Etowah Association to serve relief responders. Please note the following teams and their noted areas of service:

UNIT / Service Area
BIRMINGHAM / Pinson
BESSEMER / Bessemer
SHELBY / Shelby Co.
EAST CULLMAN / Cullman Co.
LIMESTONE, ETOWAH, MARSHALL / Southside, Rainbow City, Etowah Co.
ST. CLAIR / Ashville, Steele, & Northeast part of St. Clair Co.
CLEBURNE & CALHOUN / Oxford
WALKER / North Jasper
DEKALB, SAND MT. / DeSoto State Park Area
FRIENDSHIP / Oneonta Area

The largest portion of response effort should conclude by week’s end as crews move quickly to complete ministry assignments. Mark Wakefield and I will be on the road tomorrow and will coordinate efforts while out of the office. Blessings and remember; you make the difference!!!

– Mel Johnson, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Strategist