Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Storms leave trail of damage through Southeast; Disaster Relief volunteers respond

  • January 12, 2023
  • Grace Thornton
  • Alabama, Disaster Relief, Featured, Georgia, Latest News, North Carolina, Tennessee
(Screenshot WVTM13)

Storms leave trail of damage through Southeast; Disaster Relief volunteers respond

Devastating storms hit the Southeast on Thursday (Jan. 12), leaving at least 8 dead, thousands of people without power and some without homes. Meanwhile, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are assessing damage and responding to those in need of help.

A storm system surprised Alabamians with two dozen tornadoes, killing seven people and destroying homes, businesses and churches in different parts of the state. At least one fatality was also reported in Georgia when a tree fell on a vehicle during the storm and killed a passenger. By Thursday evening, there were 33 separate tornadoes nationwide reported from the National Weather Service. Storms also reportedly led to thousands of power outages in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Both Alabama and Georgia have declared state of emergencies.

Significant destruction in Selma, Alabama

In Selma, Alabama, at least two churches were damaged by one large tornado that ripped through the heart of the city. Crosspoint Christian Church, which suffered extensive damage, had its day care and preschool in session when the tornado hit, with about 70 children from six weeks to 5 years old in the building. There were no serious injuries; only one baby had a small cut on her cheek and forehead, according to ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann’s Facebook page. Fairview Baptist Church in Selma also lost its steeple and suffered roof damage.

Selma has significant damage on a long track from west Highway 22 through the city going northeast and beyond, according to Mark Wakefield, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief strategist. Two teams were out the day of the storms to help clear the roads.

Wadsworth Baptist Church north of Marbury also lost its worship center, and its other building was heavily damaged, Wakefield said.

Teams deploying

Disaster Relief volunteers are already at work in some areas and organizing in others, Wakefield noted.

In Tallapoosa Baptist Association, volunteers were working Jan. 12 to set up an incident command center at the associational office that would be the hub for work at the homes in that area.

FBC Posey Crossroads in Prattville opened its doors as a storm shelter for the community Jan. 12. It wasn’t hit, but homes in the area were destroyed. (Facebook photo/Ryan Denton)

“We are working to establish a location in Dallas County to work the Selma area also,” Wakefield said. “It’s a pretty significant operation at this point.”

Volunteers in Autauga County were out helping with search and rescue in the hours following the storms. At least 20 homes were damaged or destroyed in the area, and all six confirmed fatalities in the state happened there.

Starting Friday (Jan. 13), Wakefield said, he expects Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief teams to be working in all areas with damage around the state.

Reports from Georgia

In Georgia, Disaster Relief crews were surveying damage as soon as the dangerous weather had passed, preparing to send in chainsaw teams and other volunteers to help with cleanup if needed. Media reports showed roofs blown off homes and walls toppled on box stores.

In the same county southeast of Atlanta, where a passenger was killed by a falling tree, the storm appeared to have knocked a freight train off its tracks, officials said.

More updates will be provided as information is available.

For more information about Alabama and Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief, click here and here.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting by The Christian Index, news service of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and The Alabama Baptist of TAB Media Group.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Baptist DR teams providing ‘a little bit of hope’ as TX flooding death toll rises
    Baptist DR teams providing ‘a little bit of hope’ as TX flooding death toll rises
    July 9, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • IRS: Churches can endorse political candidates
    IRS: Churches can endorse political candidates
    July 9, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • First person: Steps to victory over pornography
    First person: Steps to victory over pornography
    July 9, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Baptist DR teams providing ‘a little bit of hope’ as TX flooding death toll rises

As of Wednesday morning (July 9), the latest death toll from the horrific flash flooding in Central Texas had risen at least 119, with at least 150 people still missing, mostly in Kerr County, according to the latest media reports.

IRS: Churches can endorse political candidates

For years, conservative legal groups have argued that an IRS rule barring churches from endorsing candidates was unconstitutional.

First person: Steps to victory over pornography

Like every year for the past several years, I watched in 2024 as more church leaders fell into the trap of pornography. Here are some steps to defeating it.

Study: Pastors less engaged with counseling resources, more isolated

Compared to a decade ago, pastors have less training in counseling but are more hesitant to refer church members to professionals.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel