Southern Baptists Respond to Ohio Floods in Auglaize County

Sam Kelley, Disaster Relief Coordinator for Southern

Baptists in Ohio provided the following account of ministry efforts underway in the St. Marys, Ohio area.

Heavy rain and snow melt caused severe flooding in the area, as well as other areas of Ohio.  The state Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) asked Southern Baptists to work in Auglaize, Logan and Mercer Counties.  Through discussions with the Emergency Management Agencies (EMA) in those counties, we determined operations would be most beneficial in Auglaize County.

As of March 8, assessment was in process along with the additional rain God provided so we didn't get too comfortable in whatever we are trying to accomplish.  Just a reminder it is all about Him and not us and what we are doing.

An Incident Command location has been established at the Wapakoneta Baptist Church, 815 Ashland Street, Wapakoneta, Ohio.  Pastor Eric McDunnell has been very accommodating and has his church praying for the work. Scott Klepinger is serving as our first Incident Commander. He and Larry Randolph are working with the Auglaize County Emergency Management Agency to identify homes that need assistance.   Based on the intake sheets, Scott identified 62 potential homes at first review.  They visited 4 with the following results:  1 already taken care of, 1 with debris in the yard only (no damage to the home), and 2 that will take a team about one week each.  That leaves 58 that need assessed.  That is a work in progress. 

Jim Downey from Indiana will be assisting with assessment on Thursday.

Teams are scheduled in thus far from Ohio, Kentucky (3 teams), Indiana (2 teams), and Illinois (1 team).  The Ohio West Central Baptist Association shower unit is in place and ready for use.

We will be housed, fed, and work the command center.  The Ohio Disaster Relief Food Service team is providing meals for the mud out teams, breakfast and supper at the church.  Lunch will be worked out, most likely delivered to the work sites.

There will also be a satellite office, in the Auglaize County Emergency Management Agency office located at 610 Indiana Avenue, St. Marys, Ohio (basement of the building).

Wanda Lovely Ohio Disaster Relief from Urbancrest Baptist Church will be our Operation Personnel Support data control.  Kentucky Disaster Relief is assisting in establishing this part of the response.

Please pray for those affected by the flooding and those providing recovery assistance.  Moreover, please pray for open doors to present the Gospel.

The Ohio Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry receives support from the Cooperative Mission Program, the Ray Roberts State Mission Offering, and the North American Mission Board.  For those who desire to contribute to Disaster Relief, you may do so through your local church or directly to the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio office.  Donations should be marked for Ohio Disaster Relief.