The damage caused by Hurricane Helene when it tore through southern Georgia early Friday morning (Sept. 27) was widespread and indiscriminate. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the death toll in the state stands at 11, with one of those being a first responder. Dozens more are still trapped, he said, and millions are without power.
RELATED: For more stories on Hurricane Helene, click here.
Among the damage in the Southeast, Georgia Baptist churches did not escape the fury of Helene’s high winds and heavy rain.
‘Pick up and go forward’
Pastor Brad Waters reported that First Baptist Church Hazlehurst, built in 2017, lost its steeple. He explained that when the church was built, members wrote Bible verses in the steeple in permanent marker, and that those verses are visible in the fallen structure. “It’s going to be tough,” he said, “but we’ll pick up and go forward.”
In Valdosta, Greenwood Baptist Church was damaged by falling trees, and pastor Mike Nelligan says several branches penetrated the sanctuary roof. “All of our people seem to be fine,” he said, “but there was a lot of damage to property.” Nelligan says they are waiting to remove the trees and tarp the roof to be able to begin repairs.
At a prayer service Wednesday evening, Nelligan recalled telling the congregation, “Now don’t pray that God sends the storm to go beat up someone else. Pray that we represent Him well if it hits us.”
In the northern half of the state, Helene’s rains caused more damage than its winds. New Canaan Baptist Church in Rome reported flooding in its sanctuary.
Pinnacle Retreat Center in Clayton reported several trees down across the property, including one that fell on one of the homes there. The center also lost power and had some minor flooding in the gym.
Disaster Relief response
As the widespread impact of the storm becomes more clear, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief will coordinate its response with other states as well as government, national, and regional entities to serve communities across the state.
Waters, who had traveled to Athens for the birth of his grandchild, is making plans to return to Hazlehurst as soon as possible. “We have a great church, with great people and a great mission for the gospel,” he said. “That mission will continue.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Henry Durand and originally published by The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
