Midwest Ice Storm Brings Out Benevolence
By Tim Burdashaw, Operation Compassion
On January 26th, 2009 one of the worst ice storms in recent history blasted the central part of the country. Ice, as thick as two inches, provided a blanket over power lines, trees and roadways making travel nearly impossible from northeast Arkansas to the Northeast. Kentucky, Ohio and extreme northern Tennessee received the nastiest of the weather. Utility companies expect power to be out in these areas for up to two weeks.
Families are not only without power but many cannot get out of their rural homes so many are without water and food as well. Downed tree limbs are creating more travel dangers as people are trying to clean up the debris. Power poles snapped like twigs under the pressure of all the ice. Extra utility crews are coming from other states to help with the massive restoration of power.
In the middle of all this chaos, Operation Compassion has responded by sending in semi trucks of disaster relief goods to strategic areas of this disaster. Water, Gatorade, assorted beverages, food and ready to eat meals have been sent. Two semis went to Madisonville, KY that will be distributed in the single most devastated area of the ice storm. One semi went to Cincinnati that will be distributed in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. One semi went to central Kentucky for distribution to the middle of the swath cut by this ice storm.
Hundreds of families will be fed and given water that will help them survive the next several days. Without these vital goods, the death toll could rise far above the reported twenty-six. As the crisis persists, Operation Compassion will continue to evaluate the needs and respond in a timely manner.
If you would like to help, please send donations to or contact:
Operation Compassion
Donnie W. Smith, D.Min., Executive Director of Care Division
David Lorency, President
Tim Burdashaw, Int’l. Operations Coordinator
Lisa Boen, Int’l. Logistics Coordinator
114 Stuart Road, NE Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 Office
423.728.3958 Fax
www.operationcompassion.org
