Saint Paul's Lutheran Church
opens food kitchen in response to the Morgan County Tornadoes.

Members of Saint Paul's, a LCMS Lutheran church in Wartsburg, TN, came to church early Monday morning at 5am. The communities of Mossy Grove, Petros, and Joyner in Morgan county, TN had been struck by Killer Tornadoes during the night.

The ladies of Saint Paul, with the aid of Lester Heidel of AAL branch 4590 set up the kitchen and began cooking. AAL branch 4590 provided funding to buy food to cook and the ladies, under the leadership of member Peggy Hamby, prepared and delivered 1200 meals by Tuesday night.

There were many survivors who were without food and a way to get to an Aid Station. When Saint Paul's heard of this, they found members with 4 wheel drive vehicles to take the food through debris covered roads and paths to those survivors.

Without Saint Paul's ministry to these survivors, they would not have had food during this critical time.

When I talked to Saint Paul's Pastor, Rev. Robert Pfaff Thursday morning, he expected the kitchen to stay open through Friday. Pastor Pfaff told me that the church would continue to help the communities in what ever way they could.

9-11 November 2002 (11 Nov. 02 - Monday, 1830 Hr.)

Tornado - 13 counties, touch down.
High Wind/other - 2 counties.
Hail - 2 counties.

Tornado damage in 23 counties
Western Region - 9 counties, Middle Region - 10 counties, Eastern Region - 4 counties.

Fatalities, by county; 17 total
Carroll-1, Montgomery-2, Coffee-2, Morgan-7, Cumberland-4, Anderson-1.
Injuries - 80 individuals.

Missing; At one time there was 140 people missing. 14 are still missing in Morgan Co.

Damage Summary;
Homes Destroyed - 37 Homes Damaged - 894
Mobile Homes Destroyed - 40 Mobile Homes Damaged - 16
Public Buildings Destroyed - 3 Public Buildings Damaged - 3
Business Destroyed - 19 Business Damaged - 14

Transportation; TDOT reports all "major" roads are open. No problems with the infrastructure.

Communications; A major fiber outage in the upper Cumberland Plateau. Telecommunications service's are sporadic in the eastern TN. counties that were effected.

Environmental Response; An anhydrous ammonia leak was reported at a food processing facility.

Food; No report available

Energy; Over 3,000 customers are without power. Still getting reports in. Numbers will be higher.
One electric co. has approx $30,000.00 in damages another approx. $35,000.00.

Donations and Volunteers; Reports of needs are slow in getting. Nothing is reported at the 3 regional level areas. Will be contacting the different counties for needs assessment in the morning. As of yet nothing is being collected. A 1-800# has not been activated (D.C.C.). A local number is being used for information of cash donations. Money can be sent to the Bank of America 133 Franklin Rd. Brentwood, TN. 37024, the account name is " TN. Disaster Relief Fund".

Health and Medical; 119 residents were evacuated from the Bells Nursing Home to another facility because of roof damage.

Agency Report;
Red Cross; Operations Headquarters is at their Knoxville (state) Chapter. Shelters have been set up in three counties housing a total of 200 people. ARC has been feeding in two counties feeding over 500 at a university. The DWI # is 865) 584-2999. A toll-free # will be available shortly.
TN. Baptist Convention; Chainsaw crews are in 7 counties and feeding stations in 2 counties.
FEMA; The Rapid Assessment Team will be in Tennessee tomorrow morning, and federal damage assessment teams are expected Tuesday afternoon.

Reports are still coming in and numbers could go higher.
The VOAD number at the state EOC is 615) 741-1742. Pager # 615) 963-0101
The state liaison (TEMA) to the VOAD is Bill Cooper 615) 741-2912 / 2907.