The Arkansas Rice Depot, a partner with OBI, was on-scene within hours of a F3 tornado, providing aid to the residents

In late February, several category F3 tornados with sustained winds between 138 and 167 miles per hour ripped through the small town of Dumas, Ark.

DUMAS, Ark. - Huddled together in the family bathroom, Charles, his wife and their three children took refuge in the bathtub to ride out the winds of a passing tornado.

"The walls were moving in and out," Charles said, "like they were breathing."

In late February, several category F3 tornados with sustained winds between 138 and 167 miles per hour ripped through the small town of Dumas, Ark.

In their wake, 80 percent of the businesses in town were destroyed as well as extensive damage to homes. Several mobile homes were ripped apart, leaving nothing but clothes to salvage.

The Arkansas Rice Depot, a partner with Operation Blessing, was on-scene within hours providing aid to the residents. Several kits containing bedding, food, clothes and medical supplies were distributed.

"This disaster was different from most of the tornados," said Laura Rhea, a representative with the Rice Depot. "Not only were the power lines down, but there was a direct hit to an electrical power plant."

It took more than a week to restore power to all the outlying areas. In the meantime, businesses that had been destroyed tried to recuperate.

"Many families who didn't loose their home are still devastated by the tornadoes because they lost their jobs," Rhea said.

In response, Operation Blessing, via the Hunger Strike Force, sent an emergency shipment of food, blankets and other supplies to the area. More than 45,000 pounds of goods arrived on a tractor-trailer truck and were distributed to victims through early March.

Some supplies went to families who were using a chicken coop for shelter because their home had been destroyed. Other goods were delivered to local schools where children were given books, stuffed animals, new clothes and school supplies.

Rhea said the Rice Depot will continue to assist the people affected by the tornados until the town can function on its own again.

"It will take a while to recover," said Charles, who is also a pastor of a local Baptist Church.

In an ongoing partnership with the Rice Depot, Operation Blessing has helped supply goods to hundreds of churches and community food pantries; soup kitchens and homeless shelters; public schools and homebound senior citizens.

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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