Response Updates

Convoy Responds to Storms Across Central US

USA Reported by Convoy of Hope

June 6, 2019 | 12:55 p.m.

Since May 23, Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team has served 50 communities across five states. These communities have either been affected by tornadoes or flooding. Some have even had their water systems compromised. A Convoy of Hope team is currently deployed to Dayton, Ohio, where they are managing and distributing resources to areas damaged by a tornado. In addition, we are still sending tractor-trailer loads to locations in Arkansas and Missouri to assist with flooding in the region.

Alongside our local partners, Convoy of Hope has witnessed communities come together and help those whose homes were flooded or destroyed. “Bringing communities together to help their neighbors recover is at the core of the work we do,” said National Spokesperson Jeff Nene. Across the Central United States, hundreds of volunteers have helped Convoy team members hand-deliver more than 1 million pounds of relief supplies to survivors of this series of devastating storms.

  • 84,466 individuals served
  • 54 tractor-trailer loads sent
  • 1,401,173 pounds of product distributed
  • 847 volunteers engaged
  • 4,424 volunteer hours earned
  • $1,213,729 worth of product distributed

Moving forward, flooding along the Arkansas and Missouri Rivers will be front and center for Convoy of Hope. Water levels continue to fluctuate, and some communities have yet to evaluate the full extent of the damage. We will continue to stay engaged in the coming days as potential needs come to light in these areas.

June 3, 2019 | 10:55 a.m.

Convoy of Hope continues to respond to the devastation across the Midwest and Southern U.S. caused by nearly two weeks of spring storms. To date, Convoy has distributed more than 1 million pounds of relief supplies in 41 communities across five states. We expect our responses to continue in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Arkansas.

Teams of trained responders are currently deployed in both Oklahoma and Ohio, where they are managing warehousing operations and distributing resources. Convoy deployed to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, on Sunday, June 2, to distribute resources alongside Life Church’s Ft. Smith campus. We are closely monitoring flood levels on the Arkansas River and those who would be affected by its historic flooding.

May 30, 2019 | 9 a.m.

As storms continue to make their way across the central United States, Convoy of Hope is reaching out to more communities who are in need of help. Historic rainfall and numerous tornadoes have touched down every day for nearly two weeks, causing damage and flooding throughout the middle of the country. Many communities are still threatened by flooding as rivers have yet to rest. As more rain is expected over the coming days, Convoy will respond as needs arise.

DAYTON, OH — A large tornado touched down in the Dayton area on Monday night. Convoy of Hope deployed a Disaster Services team soon after with a tractor-trailer full of relief supplies. Distribution of those supplies will happen from a central hub based in Dayton. Alongside our partners, Convoy of Hope currently has been serving in three areas of Dayton as well as in Celina. Multiple tractor trailers filled with supplies have been sent in recent days and more are expected to be sent in the coming days. Convoy is in contact with local law enforcement to discuss the needs of additional areas throughout the state that may need help.

HARTVILLE, MO— As rain continues to fall throughout much of the state, damage from flooding is expected to worsen. On Saturday, Convoy delivered pre-bagged food to a local partner in Hartville in response to a tornado that destroyed the town’s only grocery store. Many residents who couldn’t travel have received groceries to help them during this time. Convoy of Hope has provided enough food to do distributions for the next two weekends.

On Sunday, Convoy sent another load of supplies to a partner organization in Jefferson City to continue helping residents of an apartment complex destroyed by an EF-3 tornado. Totes and boxes were among the supplies provided, as many residents are attempting to pack up their belongings. At the request of Missouri State Emergency Management, Convoy is sending water to Lexington, Missouri — about 30 miles east of Kansas City — due to a water main break caused by flooding. The main cannot be repaired until the floodwaters recede, and residents’ water needs must be served in a different way. This situation is expected to persist for a week or longer.

Convoy has also distributed food and relief supplies in both Carl Junction and Golden City, where tornadoes killed three people and caused damage in recent days.

TULSA, OK — Tulsa and communities along the Arkansas River are still waiting for the full impact of recent storms. As the river crests, residents will begin to evaluate the damage to the area. Convoy has sent multiple tractor-trailer loads of supplies to partners and churches in the area. A Disaster Services team deployed Tuesday morning with supplies and equipment to resource the Tulsa Dream Center and Victory Church for serving the entire region through church hubs around the area. Convoy will work from this location for several days to distribute supplies to the affected areas as needed. Convoy is working with Oklahoma Emergency Management, the Oklahoma VOAD, and our extensive church network to distribute relief supplies.

LITTLE ROCK, AR — As water from the Arkansas River system leaves Oklahoma, it moves into its namesake state and, unfortunately, is expected to produce record flooding there, as well. The Arkansas River is expected to crest in Little Rock sometime around June 6. Convoy will be monitoring the situation in Arkansas as this event progresses.

May 25, 2019 | 6 p.m.

Convoy of Hope continues to coordinate its response with state and local emergency management officials in Missouri and Oklahoma. Convoy has distributed relief supplies like water, food, bug spray, plastic totes, and clean-up supplies in Carl Junction, Golden City, Eldon, and Jefferson City.

Disaster Services teams and Hands of Hope volunteers bagged more than 1,000 bags of groceries to be distributed in Hartville, Missouri, in response to a tornado that touched down in the area earlier this week.

Convoy is also monitoring the flooding in Oklahoma and is in contact with both partners in the Tulsa area and Oklahoma State Emergency Management. We have begun resourcing partners in the Tulsa area and are sending two tractor-trailers with clean-up supplies. We are working with Oklahoma Emergency Management and the Oklahoma VOAD to develop further distribution plans in Oklahoma.

May 23, 2019 | 9:30 a.m.

Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team is responding to the outbreak of tornadoes that struck Missouri last night. The teams are currently assessing damage in Carl Junction and Golden City where reports of tornadoes touched down. It’s estimated that more than 150 homes have been damaged. Three fatalities have been reported in the Golden City area.

“We are deploying two teams to assess the damage and meet the immediate needs of people affected by the storms,” says Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope’s National Spokesperson. “In addition to the work we are doing in southwest Missouri, we are also working with Emergency Management in Jefferson City to assess potential needs there.”

Convoy is also closely monitoring the severe flooding in Oklahoma, where mandatory evacuations are being ordered, and is making plans to deploy when the water recedes.

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