McDowell County, West Virginia -- A recurring nightmare visited the residents of McDowell County during the first week of May. Walls of water four and five feet taller than 2001's flood invaded homes and businesses, leaving little time for anyone to escape with belongings. Newly rebuilt homes and temporary FEMA housing units were destroyed. Many bridges that escaped destruction in 2001, collapsed. The rushing water continued throughout the Appalachian region, ending more than six lives, and leaving thousands of children and their families living in West Virginia as well as Kentucky and Virginia homeless.

OBI’s Hunger Strike Force (HSF) partnered with The Lord’s Storehouse in Bristol, Virginia, to help pick up and deliver 163 tons of food, water, blankets, portable camp stoves and other relief supplies to assist in meeting these immediate needs. Strategically located in the heart of McDowell County, Five Loaves & Two Fishes, a ministry extension of HSF and The Lord's Storehouse, is in the center of relief efforts, welcoming HSF's loads into its large freezer and refrigerator. "With an incredible amount of suffering due to the closing of clothing manufacturing plants and the ongoing challenges in the coal mining industry, this part of our country can hardly take another hit to the already weakened economy," commented John Reed of The Lord's Storehouse.

Over the next several months, there will be a need for more cleaning supplies, supplemental food, baby items, personal hygiene products, and household goods. It's going to take weeks for salvageable homes to dry out, get cleaned and be refurbished. These families will be forced to live in temporary shelters until they can either move back into their previous homes or obtain new housing. Right now every flood victim needs the basic everyday necessities.

"Thank you for all that your ministry does to help ease the suffering of so many," expressed John. "It's an honor to work with such a caring organization as yours. May God richly bless you all."

Thank you Operation Blessing partners for faithfully supporting our disaster relief efforts thus far! As rebuilding begins, the people of Appalachia still need us.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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