Aiding Tornado Victims

As of June 17, there have been 775 tornadoes reported in the U.S. in 2010 (of which at least 354 were confirmed), with 25 confirmed fatalities. Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) has been busy helping churches and districts respond to the aftermath of these storms.

As recently as June 17, an intense low pressure system developed across the northern plains states and impacted the region. At least 61 tornadoes were reported that afternoon and evening, primarily across North Dakota and Minnesota.

Significant damage was reported west of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and in the Wadena, Minnesota, area, and a tornado emergency was issued for areas north of Wadena and again later for areas near Plummer, Minnesota, where further damage was reported. Much of Wadena was destroyed by its tornado. Three people were killed; one in Almora, Minnesota, one in Mentor, Minnesota; and a third in Freeborn County, Minnesota. Earlier this month an EF-3 tornado came roaring through Millbury, Ohio, killing seven and leaving a wide path of destruction in its wake. Tornadoes have been reported in multiple states so far this year, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas to name a few.

NDR continues to track and follow these tornado events. It's important that NDR works with local churches and districts in helping their communities to heal following a disaster event. So far, no NDR Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to the affected areas.

NDR is seeking contributions to help the families of those affected by these recent tornadoes. Persons and churches wanting to help the recent victims of the 2010 tornado season can mark their checks "USA/Canada Tornadoes ACM1041" and mail them to the Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. (This is an approved 10% mission special.) To make a donation online, click here.
--NDR