February 9, 2021 | 9:35 a.m.
The historic tornado outbreak of December 11 left survivors devastated. Tornadoes across Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee ravaged communities and created a long road to recovery. Months afterward, Convoy of Hope is still responding, and in a long-term capacity.
Immediately after the disaster, Convoy of Hope distributed more than 400,000 pounds of emergency relief supplies across multiple states. Now, as needs change and survivors begin long-term recovery, Convoy’s response is shifting to meet those needs.
“Because of our generous partners, Convoy of Hope will be able to spend much of the next year helping those who were affected by the tornadoes rebuild their lives and their homes,” said Stacy Lamb of Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team.
Many of those still in desperate need were uninsured or underinsured when the storm struck. Survivors who sustained major losses — such as appliances or entire homes — may have little resources to rebuild their lives now that initial recovery efforts have, for the most part, slowed down. This is why Convoy of Hope maintains a long-term presence.
Convoy recently procured a warehouse that houses supplies for long-term recovery, including building materials. This hub allows for Disaster Services to efficiently and consistently provide help.
January 13, 2021 | 5:00 p.m.
“This community has seen things they were never meant to see. They’ve heard things they were never meant to hear,” said Joel Cauley of Relevant Church in Paducah, Kentucky.
As soon as the tornado had passed, Joel went straight to the twisted pile of metal that was once a candle factory. His goal was to help in any way he could. He quickly found a way.
“I was handed a stack of cellphones that we had been finding in all of the rubble,” Joel said. “I was actually fielding phone calls from people wanting to know if their loved ones were dead or alive.”
In the weeks to follow, Joel continued to serve his community alongside Convoy of Hope. Through this response, Convoy has served more than 256,000 pounds of relief supplies to more than 13,000 tornado survivors across seven impacted communities.
Convoy of Hope will continue to serve these communities in the long term as they continue to recover.
“When this is yesterday’s news and everybody else’s normal, you guys are still standing strong,” Joel said.
December 17, 2021 | 1:10 p.m.
One week after tornadoes barrelled through southern and midwestern portions of the U.S., many are still reeling. Convoy of Hope’s response has reached thousands, and will continue as affected communities recover.
"Seeing the devastation firsthand gives you more of an idea of the scope of the disaster,” said Convoy’s National Spokesperson, Ethan Forhetz. “There are many people who lost everything and they need our help. Convoy of Hope continues to give them the resources they so desperately need right now, but also hope that tomorrow is going to be a better day.”
Convoy of Hope is distributing food, water, winter clothes, hygiene kits, cleanup supplies, generators, and other emergency relief supplies. Partners in the community are helping with distribution. Donors across the U.S. have contributed to the response, multiplying Convoy of Hope’s impact.
December 16, 2021 | 2:05 p.m.
More storms rolled through southern and midwestern states on Wednesday night. Although last weekend’s weather was much more severe, the recent storm system brought precipitation and a dip in temperatures to communities where many are still unsheltered. Rain or shine, Convoy of Hope continues to provide relief in communities across the disaster zone.
Although the tornadic outbreak left many without power or shelter, Convoy can meet survivors’ immediate needs by providing winter clothing, generators, and sheltering supplies.
With the help of organizational partners, volunteers, and other dedicated supporters, Convoy has already distributed more than 180,000 pounds of food, water, and relief supplies to individuals in seven different communities.
“Our goal is to be here in the long term,” said Nick Wiersma, Vice President of Convoy’s Disaster Services team. “We want to let them know that they’re not alone.”
December 15, 2021 | 1:30 p.m.
Convoy of Hope has sent nine tractor-trailer loads of relief supplies to multiple affected communities in response to last week’s historic storms. Convoy’s response will continue as survivors rebuild and recover.
December 14, 2021 | 3:36 p.m.
As Convoy of Hope’s response to the recent outbreak of tornadoes continues, the scope of the damage has become even more apparent.
Friday’s storms killed at least 88 people across five states. That number may continue to rise as search and rescue teams scour the disaster zone. Meanwhile, 27,000 residents of Kentucky are without running water or are under boil advisories, according to the state’s Emergency Management Director, Michael Dossett.
In an interview with CNN, Dossett referred to Friday as “one of the darkest days in the state’s history.”
Local crews are working to restore power after the storm left more than 250,000 individuals without electricity. Pressure continues to mount in hard-hit areas like Mayfield, Kentucky, where the forecast calls for below-freezing temperatures before the end of the week.
In a hopeful turn of events, preparedness saved lives at a Kentucky nursing home, where 74 residents participated in a tornado drill just hours before the storm struck. They quickly put their plan into practice as a tornado approached that evening. Despite a direct hit, all residents survived.
Still, many in affected areas remain without shelter or basic necessities. Convoy’s response has already brought approximately 130,000 pounds of food, water, relief supplies, sheltering supplies, and cleanup supplies to more than 7,000 individuals in need of relief. Because of the fast-approaching winter weather, Convoy of Hope has also begun to distribute winter clothes and coats in addition to other supplies.
“Our goal for this response is to help as many communities as we can, as quickly as we can,” said Alysan Burgbacher of Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team.
Convoy will continue to provide relief as storm survivors begin to rebuild.
December 13, 2021 | 4:30 p.m.
“I don’t think we have seen damage at this scale, ever,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a press conference Sunday.
This weekend, a devastating storm struck the Midwest and the South. Experts believe that one single storm formed tornadoes in Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Convoy of Hope was quick to respond.
The news coming out of communities hit by Friday’s tornado outbreak is heart-wrenching. Officials have confirmed 64 deaths in Kentucky, with another 105 people remaining unaccounted for. An additional 13 people have died in Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, bringing the overall death toll to 77.
More than 1,000 homes were destroyed in Kentucky alone. Tens of thousands are without power, which means no heat during freezing winter nights.
The National Weather Service described one of Friday night’s tornadoes as “a historic long-track tornado.” Early estimates indicate that the tornado generated wind speeds in excess of 200 mph as it relentlessly tore across four states, leaving a trail of splintered homes and rubble approximately three quarters of a mile wide. Most tornadoes are on the ground for minutes at a time; that particular tornado was active for more than two hours.
Convoy of Hope quickly made contact with several churches in the affected area and sent multiple loads of relief supplies — including tarps, food, water, cleanup supplies, and other necessities — to the disaster zone from the World Distribution Center.
Convoy will continue working with state and local governments, community leaders, and volunteers to identify the best way to help moving forward.
December 12, 2021 | 11:55 a.m.
Recovery continues along the more than 200-mile path of destruction caused by tornadoes originating in Arkansas and ending midway through Kentucky on Friday night. While the exact number of tornadoes spawned, the time they were on the ground, and their intensity are still being evaluated, the tragic aftermath of the storm is becoming more clear.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the death toll is likely between 70 and 100 people in his state. There were another six confirmed fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, and eight others were killed across Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. The financial cost of the damage is also expected to be very high.
“Because the destruction is so widespread, Convoy of Hope is working tirelessly to get much-needed resources to multiple locations to help those who need them most,” said Stacy Lamb, Senior Director of Convoy of Hope’s U.S. Disaster Services team.
Convoy of Hope quickly made contact with several churches in the affected areas and sent multiple loads of relief supplies from the World Distribution Center to assist residents as they start to recover. Convoy will continue working with state and local governments, community leaders, and volunteers in identifying the best way to help moving forward.
