LEXINGTON – (December 11, 2021) Deadly tornadoes hit the western part of Kentucky with severe weather in additional areas of the state. Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is monitoring the situation to determine how to help when the state’s Emergency Management Team clears the way for teams to deploy. CAP is also working to coordinate the efforts of partner agencies to provide essential supplies as soon as possible.

“In the wake of such a devastating storm, our first concern is always for the people impacted,” said Robyn Renner, CAP’s director of Disaster Relief. “We need to continue to pray for those families who have lost loved ones and everyone assisting with search and rescue.”

Renner is no stranger to disaster relief efforts and understands that this is a critical time for emergency management personnel who must do the difficult work immediately following a weather event of this magnitude. It is reported that at least 4 tornadoes touched down in Western Kentucky with one wreaking havoc over 220 miles from Arkansas through Kentucky and Tennessee.

“Our first desire is to rush in to help, but in those initial hours when there are fatalities, as well as downed power lines, the state’s Emergency Management Team has to first assess what the needs are and how organizations like CAP can help,” she said. “That is critical time where we can coordinate supplies and put prospective volunteers on alert so that when we are called, we will be ready to assist families who have been devasted by these storms.”

Kentucky’s Emergency Management has asked agencies not to deploy until that initial assessment is complete, but to standby. There will be immediate needs but given the expected death toll and devastation to communities, families will need assistance for months to come.

“CAP’s Operation Sharing Program is already coordinating with partners like Orphan Grain Train to provide water, nonperishable food items, hygiene items, and blankets to Western Kentucky,” Renner added. “Many of the homes in the area have been a total loss. CAP is monitoring the needs with state officials to determine when cleanup and chainsaw teams would need to deploy.”

For more information on when and how Christian Appalachian Project will be able to help our neighbors in Western Kentucky, follow us on Facebook or Instagram or visit our website at christianapp.org.