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Archive - Article 39
Appalachian Dream Center Assist Flood Victims
5/10/02
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The floodwall
at Harvey Street in downtown Williamson was tested by the
raging flood waters on Friday afternoon. The waters crested
at 11:40 a.m. |
Immediately following news of the disastrous flooding in West Virginia,
Michael Hartwell, Director of Appalachian Dream Center mobilized
his resources to assist the victims. The MacArthur and Delbarton
Churches of God partnered with the Dream Center in loading and delivering
the necessary supplies to the flood stricken areas of southwestern
West Virginia.
By Friday morning, the communities of Bradshaw, Isaban, laegaer,
Welch, Atwell, War Northfork, Capels, Keystone, Matewan and Williamson
were receiving truck after truck of cleaning supplies, bottled water,
food and clothing. Many families in these areas escaped the floodwaters
with only the clothes on their backs.
 |
Williamson
Water Treatment Plant halfway underwater. |
Many homes and mobile homes were lifted off their foundations and
washed down stream in total destruction. Cars, trucks and other
personal items were washed away and destroyed. While the destruction
of personal property was devastating, human loss was even greater.
A mother and child were swept away by the floodwaters and were found
drowned dowam. Six others have lost their lives in the flood and
ten are still missing.
 |
Behind Food
City at Goody Kentucky, entrance to the Southside Mall was
cover with water. |
Atwell, Bradshaw, Capels and laegaer Churches of God were severely
damaged or destroyed without insurance to cover any loss. Air conditioning
and heating units were washed out, furnishings were a total loss,
sheetrock, carpeting and flooring will all need to be replaced as
a result of the flooding. Kitchen equipment, musical instruments
and many other church related items were all destroyed or severely
damaged. In fact, the Bradshaw Church of God had four feet of water
standing in it.
 |
Workers at
South Williamson Wal-Mart used bags of mulch, bark and potting
soil to make a dike to keep water from entering the parking
lot Friday. |
Reverend Lloyd Griffith, a retired Church of God minister, lost
his home of 45 years including everything he owned. Reverend Griffith
literally escaped with the clothes on his back.
With so many suffer such loss, Operation Compassion has pledged
to do everything possible to bring assistance to the communities
of southwest West Virginia. Next week, twelve semis will be delivering
all the needed supplies from bottled water to building supplies,
food, clothes, shovels and buckets.
 |
West Virginia
Floods Again! |
At a time like this, many people away from the disaster feel helpless.
Yet, there is an innate desire to do something. Help by participating
in the clean up effort by donating the shipping cost of $1,000 for
each semi delivered to the flood stricken area of West Virginia.
Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
Photo Credit: Williamson
Daily News
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