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2009-05-05 issue:

MDS says the best news is 'temporary'

Mennonite Disaster Service responds to surge of tornadoes, floods and fires.

by Brian Pipkin for Mennonite Disaster Service

Print Article

The word “temporary” is good news in the context of natural disaster. It gives a conclusion to an unfortunate event. MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) is currently investigating, coordinating and responding to the recent tornadoes, floods and fires that continue to devastate families and damage homes in Arkansas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and parts of Canada. 


Students of Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Man., help with sandbagging. Photo provided.

Jerry Klassen, MDS disaster response coordinator, says that more than 60 MDS volunteers traveled from neighboring communities to replace tin roofing on at least six barns in Nashville, Ark. Those impacted by the recent tornadoes in other parts of the United States such as Magee, Miss., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., can be assured that “local MDS folks from the surrounding areas are responding” says Klassen.

Ted Hostetler, MDS volunteer in Arkansas, says that MDS volunteers are going door to door assessing needs. Things are not looking much better in Fargo, N.D.

The Red River continues to pose a great risk for surrounding communities. Wilbur Litwiller, MDS regional director, says authorities expect the river to crest near Fargo upwards of 40 feet.

Litwiller says that MDS volunteers “continue to sandbag and wait to see what the river does, how fast the snow melts and if more rain is expected in the forecast.”

MDS volunteers from Minnesota are on standby if more people power is needed in the sandbagging effort. “The greatest threat now is warm weather,” says Litwiller.

The Red River flood has made its imprint on Canada as well. Like Fargo, a second crest is expected.

“The Red River and the Assiniboine River, which meet in downtown Winnipeg at the Forks, are expected to crest simultaneously,” says Ron and Elaine Enns, MDS Canada region directors. “Many of the houses and farms surrounding the river have become isolated, although they remain dry.”

Fifty students from Canadian Mennonite University also assisted in the sandbagging effort. MDS had well over 100 volunteers responding to the Red River flood in Canada. While Fargo, Winnipeg and surrounding areas are dealing with too much water, Oklahoma is dealing with massive fires that continue to spread. Bill Mast, MDS unit area coordinator for Oklahoma, reports that the fires reached within four miles of his house.

“At least 100 homes completely burned to the ground,” he says.

Although the investigation is still underway, it looks like the fires are destroying homes mostly in upper-scale neighborhoods where people will most likely have insurance and the resources to rebuild. For now, MDS volunteers are on standby, waiting to see how they can assist in the cleanup effort.

MDS has had the opportunity to sign up and train more Emergency Response Teams. These teams are self-sustained mobile response units that are responsible for the initial cleanup phase for anyone, insured or uninsured.

“The recent ERT trainings have paid great dividends,” says Klassen. “Empowering people is what makes disaster response a reality.”

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