We are activating in response to Ohio flooding

We are getting more info on Oklahoma flooding and will try to send a team in a week to two if volunteers are willing to go. It appears the need will persist. The need there is severe and we are needed there just as we were after Katrina.

First though, we have trouble right here. Six Ohio counties are under a state of emergency from up to 9 inches of rain yesterday which has flooded many towns here. I expect you’ve seen the video on the news this evening of the flooding and coast guard helicopters plucking people out of the flood water. More rain is in the forecast for the rest of the week.

The town of Shelby, in Richland County has people sleeping in a shelter tonight in the High School on the West side and an elementary school on the East side. The black fork river has cut the two sides of town in half.

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Bucyrus in Crawford County is also flooded making national news tonight. Many of us have traveled through there up route 4 on our way to Cedar Point. The Sandusky River is still rising there and won’t crest till tomorrow, IF no more rain falls. Many are in a shelter in the YMCA there tonight.

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In Mansfield, the post office flooded and the news isn’t covering additional areas.

Van Wert, Allen, Harding, and Wyandot counties are also under a state of emergency.

Only 1 in 10 households in flood prone areas tend to have flood insurance and the most needy people don’t tend to have the insurance. There will be many who will need lots of outside assistance getting their homes put back together and replace their belongings. Some will likely lose their homes altogether from collapsed foundations and basement walls destroyed by the rushing water.

Plans are not yet defined, though I already have at least one volunteer to work this weekend. I will be contacting Senior Citizen’s Centers, the Red Cross, Mayors, Emergency Management directors, and local groups coordinating volunteers that we can partner up with to offer assistance in the areas affected.

You are needed for the kind of kingdom work we have been doing in the gulf coast, but this is right in our back yards. We can serve all day giving people hope and come home to sleep in our own beds after a hot shower, thankful that we have both.

Please forward this note to your church email lists, friends, and family who would be willing to give up their weekend to help our neighbors.

I will get more info out to you on email and via the blog over the next couple days to firm up those plans.

Servants Unite!