By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Reading news reports, watching television news, talking to friends in the areas which were affected Sunday (March 3, 2019) makes my heart ache and my soul cry out to the God of heaven.
At 1:00 p.m., Monday (March 4, 2019) Opelika-Auburn News reported:
Lee County tornado upgraded to EF4, 170 mph winds
National Weather Service officials say the killer tornado that struck Lee County was an EF-4 packing 170 mph winds.
The twister cut a devastating path of at least 24 miles long.
It was the deadliest tornado in the United States since 2013.
Earlier reports by OANOW shared the Presidents support and Sheriff Jones (LCSO) comments of what he is seeing first-hand:
President Donald Trump Tweeted his support for the victims of Lee County, Alabama.
“FEMA has been told directly by me to give the A Plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama and the wonderful people who have been so devastated by the Tornadoes. [Governor Ivey] one of the best in our Country, has been so informed. She is working closely with FEMA (and me!).”
Sheriff Jones said:
“We have a lot of our first responders are completely committed to helping locate anyone who may be out there still,” Jones said in a Monday morning news conference. “Unfortunately we anticipate the number of fatalities may rise as the day goes on.”
Jones expects nearly 200 individuals will be out assisting with the search and rescue efforts throughout the day. Jones added that he expects search and rescue efforts to extend into Tuesday due to the extent of the damage, which he described as catastrophic.
“I have not seen this level of destruction ever in my experience,” he said.
The hardest hit area, according to Jones, is the area around Alabama Highway 51 from Lee Road 42 to Highway 80.
“This is where most of the fatalities are located,” he said.
Among the dead are several children but the exact number is not known, according to Jones.
“It hurts my heart,” said Jones. “I love this county. It’s extremely upsetting to me to see these people hurting like this.”
Multiple injuries were reported on Sunday as well. Jones said the injuries ranged from minor to severe injuries.
Power crews will be out throughout Lee County helping to restore power to those who are still without it, said Jones.
Crews have also helped clear the roads in the area and most are now open, however, Jones urges people to continue to avoid the area.
“We’re asking folks that are not residents of the area, please do not come to the area,” he said. “We don’t want folks coming down and literally getting in the way.”
Help is already mounting with efforts to assist and care for the first responders, workers, and community. My friend, Brother Rusty Sowell and the Providence Baptist Church, have opened their doors and hearts to feed those who have experienced such devastation. Sanford Middle School has become the collection center and morgue for the communities of Beauregard and Smiths Station. Several church and civic organizations are already active in assisting in any way possible. The “Yellow Shirt Army” of Alabama Baptist and the Southern Baptist Convention have deployed and are on the ground in the area.
It is truly a huge effort taking place in the area between Opelika and the Georgia state line. A large area which has experienced something beyond what we can wrap our minds around.
I read that the University of Alabama has come the aid of the Auburn area as a way of returning to them support they gave a few years ago:
Tuscaloosa and much of the University of Alabama campus in 2011 was devastated by a massive killer tornado that struck there. Many from the Auburn area and Auburn University offered support at the time.
Today, that support was offered in return from Alabama to Auburn.
University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell issued the following statement of support this morning:
“Our hearts are heavy on The University of Alabama campus as we think about the friends, families and communities affected by the devastating tornado that tore through Lee County and across the region yesterday.
“As our prayers go out, there is such an incredible loss felt across our entire state, and the UA family is eager to extend love, care and support during the painful recovery and beyond.”
On Sunday we were informed the area hospital was dealing with injuries related to the storm:
The death count has risen to 22 known fatalities, including adults and children, according to Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones.
Meanwhile, more than 50 patients have been treated at East Alabama Medical Center with injuries from Sunday’s storms, officials told the Opelika-Auburn News.
A preliminary report from the NWS Birmingham said that the first tornado to strike Lee County was at least an EF3 and one-half mile wide. According to NWS Birmingham, damage was confirmed with a second tornado in Lee County, Alabama. On Monday, the damage is revealing the tornado was an EF4.
Mid-day Sunday the meteorologist from the Montgomery area were saying it was a “catastrophic storm,” which was later that night stated as a “confirmed large and destructive tornado.” This is evidenced by the status of the storm, the evidence of 170 mph winds and a 24-mile track on the ground. Massive!
Today I am calling on us to go to our knees in earnest prayer for all involved.
- Pray for the families who have experienced a huge loss in life and property.
- Pray for the Law Enforcement Officers and the Fire Personnel, EMA and all first response folks who are involved in the terrible situation of search and recovery.
- Pray for the many organizations who are aiding and ministering to the residents of the area.
- Pray for the churches to be the “hands and feet of Jesus.” Pray for God’s glory to be seen in the midst of such sorrow.
May we pray with David:
The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff–they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live. Psalm 23:1-6 (CSBBible)
Stay up-to-date and do what you can to aid these people who have endured and will endure such a difficult time. If you want to donate, I encourage you to give to the Alabama Disaster Relief Teams at:
https://sbdr.org/?fbclid=IwAR2VQEZGx4aUV9J3X1nMYpcxl7U-2Plu2TkCKHrIKUPi_2LyIdPmt80iIW0
Your gifts go directly to the cause and there are no administration cost (these are covered by the Alabama Baptist State Board Missions and the Cooperative Program gifts of the churches).
Information from news reports: