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DISASTER RELIEF STAFF
Click on an underlined name or title to contact them by e-mail
STATE OFFICEDick TalleyState Disaster Relief DirectorRae JonesAdministrative AssistantVOLUNTEER STAFF
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Hail Facts
· About 24 people are injured each year by hail in the U.S.
· The larger the hail, the stronger the thunderstorm.
· Hail rarely causes fatalities. The last fatality in the U.S. attributed to hail was in Lake Worth Village, Texas on March 28, 2000. A 19-year old man was struck by softball sized hail while trying to move a new car. He died the following day from associated head injuries.
· The largest hailstone ever recovered in the United States fell in Aurora, Nebraska on June 22, 2003, with a record 7-inch diameter and a circumference of 18.75 inches.
· The heaviest hailstone ever documented in the U.S. fell in Coffeyville, Kansas on September 3, 1970, weighing in at 1.67 pounds.
· The majority of hail damage occurs to agricultural crops, costing over $1 billion annually.
· The costliest hailstorm in the United States was in Fort Worth in May 1995. Total damage was over $2 billion, with over $1.1 billion of that due to hail damage.
· Hailstorms rarely last longer than 15 minutes.
· Hailstones can vary from pea size up to grapefruit size or larger.
· Large hailstones can fall at speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, and can sometimes contain pebbles, leaves, twigs, nuts and insects.
· The area of the U.S. most at risk for large hail is the western Great Plains, in a 625-square-mile area near the meeting of the borders of Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, averaging 7 to 9 hail days per year.
· Hail one inch (quarter size) or larger is considered "severe".
· Estimating Hail Size (diameter):
Pea = ¼ inch,
Mothball = ½ inch,
Dime/Penny = ¾ inch,
Nickel = 7/8 inch,
Quarter = 1 inch,
Ping-Pong Ball = 1 ½ inches,
Golf Ball = 1 ¾ inches,
Tennis Ball = 2 ½ inches
Baseball = 2 ¾ inches,
Tea Cup = 3 inches,
Grapefruit = 4 inches,
Softball = 4 ½ inches
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Cookie Crumbs
New Volunteer Testimony
(Edited for space)
On Tuesday I got a first-hand view of what life is like working with a Texas Baptist Men Disaster Unit in Salado. It was an experience I won't soon forget, loving on people who have been through a terrible storm. I was assigned to help Mr. and Mrs. F, who had experienced the ravages of water about 5 feet deep in their home. When I arrived just the two of them were in the process of removing everything from inside the house, and there it was...covered in mud and all but destroyed by the flood... their once-lovely possessions piled in a heap on the front lawn. Both cars in the driveway were totaled. The porch on the back of the house was completely torn away from the foundation so that from the back door was a drop off of about 4 ft. The a/c unit was covered in debris and torn from its mooring. The owners were still in shock and greeted us with a look of total desperation and disbelief.
Our job was to wash, dry, wrap and box personal belongings that were salvageable. That was the "front" for our real purpose...which was to show the love of God by being there and helping without asking anything in return. They absolutely couldn't believe that we would come to their aid without expecting payment of some kind. This wonderful couple took us to their hearts. By the time we left that day they said, "Can I adopt you two?"
I'm having a hard time finding the right words to describe my feelings of that day. I can't say it was "fun"...it was hot and humid, and hard work. In spite of this, I can truly say that I came away with a sense of joy and satisfaction in doing something for someone in need. What impressed me more than anything was the army of volunteers from Texas Baptist Men working in the heat helping all these flood victims. Then there's the big payoff when a person gives their life to Christ because of the witness shown by these volunteers.
Have you ever seen an advertisement for the Texas Baptist Men? There is no grandiose show among these Christians. They are men and women believers of all ages, with a common purpose in serving the Lord.
Working with us was a man from Denton. He has a wife and two teenage children at home, and he is an electrical engineer who took four days off to drive three hours to Salado and help flood victims. That is amazing to me, but it is the story of numerous workers who were helping in Salado.
Texas Baptist Men are not only called, but they are accountable to God for His claim on their lives. They are living the command to "love your neighbor as yourself"! They minister and encourage others with actions. THAT is what made the biggest impression on me during my first experience as a "yellow cap".
May we all be more attentive and obedient to doing what the Lord asks.
Patsy Spray
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God's Promises About Worry and Anxiety
Worry is the great plague of life, both for believers and unbelievers. It is human to worry, to fret about things, and to be concerned about the future. The Bible tells us that we need not worry, that God is in control, and that he knows our future. He is in control. "Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55: 22
"As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands." Psalm 119: 143
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5: 7
"Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up." Proverbs 12: 25
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Financial Support
TBM appreciates your prayers and support of our Disaster Relief ministry. Without your financial support we would not be able to help so many hurting people in their hour of need. You may mail a gift to TBM at 5351 Catron, Dallas, Tx 75227 or give by credit card through our website at: www.texasbaptistmen.org. If you have any questions about a financial gift please call Mickey Lenamon at 214-828-5177.
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Open House and
Building Dedication
 | | Robert E. Dixon Mission Equipping Building |
EVERYONE IS INVITED to the Dedication of the new Robert E. Dixon Mission Equipping Building on November 20, 2010, from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dedication will be at 10:30 p.m. followed by lunch provided by the TBM Disaster Relief Feeding Unit.
Over the past several weeks, 30 Disaster Relief volunteers donned yellow caps to become bricklayer helpers. Progress has been fantastic as volunteers mixed mortar, stacked and lifted bricks and did a variety of cleanup chores. Bring your family or church group and take a tour of the buildings. This event should be great fun for all! For more information call 214-828-5356
COME AND SEE:
·The Disaster Relief Feeding Unit
·The Water Purification Team
·The Retiree Builder's Workshop
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 A MESSAGE FROM DICK TALLEY
Welcome Home
Warrior Ceremony
The following note was from Dianna Hudson,
Family Readiness Support Assistant,
USAR 807th MED CMD G1
All I can say is WOW! How wonderful your volunteers were for our event. the four ladies took care of the 15 children of the military families in a fantastic manner. They all had terrific smiles and worked with the children so patiently. My husband commented "How do they know how to do what they do?"
Our one star general popped in to thank them for coming out to assist us, and the Command Sergeant Major came down to bring the food and snacks. I popped in and out to check on them and make sure they had water and snacks, so I hope they reported a good experience.
Let me know if we can be of any assistance to you in the future, and know we really appreciate the great attitude and helpful nature of the volunteers that came out.
Thanks again,
Dianna
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Mud, Water & Fire Everywhere
Denton Box Unit Deployment to Salado
In September, the DBA Box Unit received a request from
Texas Baptist Men to respond to the Salado, Belton and Nolanville areas of the state. These areas had experienced flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hermine. Many of the homes in the area had been flooded, and homeowners were having to move all their possessions out of their homes.
The team loaded flat boxes and packing materials from two storage locations, FBC Ponder and FBC Lewisville. These went into a large 14-foot truck and were then driven to FBC Salado. The unit met with Tom Henderson, Director of Missions for the Bell Baptist Association, and other emergency management officials, were given maps of the areas of the cities where most of the flooding had occurred.
In Nolanville, at the Pecan Village Mobile Home Park, many of the mobile homes had washed down the river, and people lost everything. Those that remained were given materials to box up their possessions so they could move. In Salado, near the river and golf course, some homes had been flooded with over six feet of water. Many of the homeowners had no flood insurance.
The team assisted two homeowners by washing the mud off their dishes, glasses, silverware and other items, and then helped them pack and box their possessions. While helping the homeowners and working with the volunteers, the unit was able to witness and pray with those who had lost so much. Homeowners were amazed that people would come all the way from the Denton area just to help them.
By the end of the deployment, our Box Unit had given out more than 1,950 packing boxes, along with packing and messages of hope. DBA is very proud of the men and women who volunteer to help in times of need and crisis.
Boulder, Colorado Fire Cleanup
Mike Gaines, state disaster relief director for Colorado, reports that there are plenty of opportunities to respond to the recent fires in Boulder. So far, teams from Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Baptists of Texas, Texas Baptist Men and Utah/Idaho are continuing to respond. TBM has deployed the Paramount Baptist Church Heavy Equipment Unit to Boulder. The Unit Director is Joe Henard.
Arlington Flooding
TBM deployed two mudout units to Arlington...the Ellis Christian Disaster Relief Unit with Bob Crane as Unit Director, and the Sabine Neches Baptist Area Unit from Buna with Ray Wilson as Unit Director. The number of volunteers varied from day to day, but approximately 30 participated completing ten jobs. An SBTC mudout unit from Linden also responded with seven volunteers.
Because of the nature of the flood, the team had little contact with many of the homeowners, especially those who lived in "flats" on the ground level. The owners of the homes where the work of the team was performed were very appreciative.
An effort was also made to contact the homeowners and present them with a Bible. Additional support was provided by volunteers from many other disaster relief groups.
Mudout Unit to Corpus Christi
One TBM mudout unit went to Corpus Christi with Unit Director Joe Henard. There were 14 volunteers who worked a total of eight days. There were also 14 young men from the ALERT group that helped for several days. More than 60 jobs were completed. SBTC also deployed units, and provided overall site and work-order management.
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Hailstones...
All Shapes and Sizes
Hail falls during many thunderstorms. The size of the hail is one way the weatherman identifies a severe thunderstorm. If the storm contains enough energy to form large hail (one inch in diameter or greater) it is also powerful enough to generate destructive winds, tornadoes and heavy rainfall.
Thunderstorms can grow upwards to 20,000 feet and above. At this level the upper part of the cloud will be below the freezing point of water. At this point water droplets freeze into very small pellets. They are held aloft by turbulence within the growing cloud. They continue to grow larger as more moisture ascends from below. When they reach 1/4 inch in diameter they are called hail.
As the hail begins to fall, some of it is carried back up to receive another coating of water, and freezing. This continues until the hailstone is too heavy, or the storm becomes less severe, and it falls to the ground.
Not all hail is round like a ball. They can be oblong like a football, spiky, lumpy or flower shaped. Depending on the temperature of the hailstone, it can be extremely hard or very soft, almost like a snowball.
Large hail is very dangerous. As a solid chunk of ice, falling at high speed, it can cause serious injury. Even golf ball size stones can be lethal. Any size hail can be destructive to crops and property. Heavy storms of small hail can block storm drains and cause flooding, while the weight of the ice can cause low pitched or flat roofs to collapse.
 | Serious damage to property and autos is evidenced
by these historical photos |
Just imagine driving along the highway at 70 mph with hail dropping at 100 mph. The car and its windshield are most likely to receive major damage. One of the most dangerous times to drive is on roads covered with hailstones. Hard hail, unlike snow, is like trying to drive on ball bearings.
There is no way to look at a thunderstorm in the distance and tell if it will produce hail. Meteorologists use weather radar to look inside a thunderstorm. Since hail reflects more energy back to the radar than raindrops, it often shows up in red shades. Some Doppler radar can also estimate the size of the hail based on the amount of energy reflected back.
Hail is not something to be taken lightly.
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Looking Back
Wichita Falls
May 13, 1982
Retired Baptist Chaplain Merle Pedigo was not overly concerned when the water started creeping toward his home. "After all, we're in an area that only floods perhaps every hundred years," he said.
But that was the centennial event. Before long, the Pedigos' home was swamped with three feet of water. The family sought refuge in a neighbor's house. As the waters continued to rise, the two families and their dogs had to spend the night in the neighbor's attic.
When the waters receded, local officials determined that the May 13, 1982, flood damaged more than 2,000 homes and apartments, and affected 5,400 people, including 180 Baptist families. Most of the homes that flooded were in the same area that had been hit by the 1979 tornado.
Texas Baptists responded by sending in the Disaster Relief Mobile Unit. Setting up a field kitchen, the disaster relief team prepared meals, and local volunteers served 6,600 meals in five days.
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| CORRECTION
As reported in last month's "Looking Back" story, Trinity Baptist Church is located in Houston, TX, not Ingleside, TX. Jose Leal was incorrectly listed as the Pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista ElBuen Pastor in Ingleside. However, he does attend that church, and is a Licensed Baptist Preacher, and an Ordained Baptist Deacon.
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"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever."
Paslm 106: 1
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