Libby Ezell | Buy at Photos.Djournal.com Volunteers with Hope Reigns joined the clean-up effort in Holly Springs to help residents impacted by the Wednesday tornado.
By Zack Orsborn
Daily Journal
HOLLY SPRINGS – Community members and volunteers rallied together to lend a hand the day after Christmas following the devastating tornado that ripped through Holly Springs.
Jeff Provo, volunteer with Hope Reigns, joined 15 other volunteers to tack tarps over damaged roofs to prevent further water damage and pick up fallen limbs.
Hope Reigns is the rapid-response ministry arm of Eight Days of Hope, the Tupelo-based, all-volunteer national disaster relief ministry.
As far as tornado damage, Provo said it’s the worst he’s ever witnessed.
Over the weekend, Mississippi’s death toll from this week’s storms climbed to 10.
“We usually stay a week to 10 days,” he said. “Tomorrow, we’ll start cutting trees. We do it all for Jesus. Nobody gets paid.”
Steve Tybor, who leads Eight Days of Hope, said he expects more than 300 volunteers over the next 10 days.
“Right now, the big need in that whole county and part of Holly Springs is to relieve the tree damage,” Tybor said. “The majority of the area is rural. If anyone knows how to operate heavy equipment like bulldozers, we’d love for them volunteer.”
He’s also seeking 75 to 100 volunteers certified to use a chainsaw to clear damage.
On Christmas Eve, Eight Days of Hope posted a status on their Facebook asking people to donate Christmas gifts. Within three hours, they received more than 600 gifts that were distributed to Holly Springs.
The volunteer efforts in Holly Springs reminded Tybor of all the help Tupelo received when a tornado touched down in April 2014.
“Tupelo responded so quickly because Tupelo remembers how many people came to help,” he said. “People gave up their time on Christmas. We take care of our own, regardless of social status. People set aside differences and come together.”
Holly Springs’s Ward 4 Alderwoman Christy Owens woke up at 4 a.m. Saturday morning to cook breakfast for 80 utility workers who traveled from all over Mississippi to help fix power lines.
Along with community members, she helped pack bag lunches and collect Christmas gifts for those affected.
Since most of the damage occurred in her ward, she spent most of her Christmas coordinating volunteer efforts – especially since the city declared a state of emergency.
The city will not be accepting monetary donations until Monday because of the need of food, clothing and non-perishable items that are being distributed at the Holly Springs Church of Christ.
Items can be dropped off in Holly Springs at the Eddie Smith Multi Purpose building where the American Red Cross is stationed.
“Christmas this year was not about presents,” Owens said. “This year, it’s about community service and kindness. It’s a tragedy so many people were displaced. All the agencies and volunteers are doing what they can to ease the pain and sorrow.”
Since all citizens were accounted for, the city’s next step will be restore power and clean up residential areas with the help of MEMA, FEMA and American Red Cross.
For volunteering opportunities, follow Marshall County/Holly Springs Disaster Relief Effort on Facebook.
To volunteer with Hope Reigns or Eight Days of Hope, call 256-503-1024. Donations also can be made at eightdaysofhope.com/donate.
More information on how to donate or volunteer is available at msdisasterresponse.org
MONROE COUNTY FLOODING
The onslaught of weather continued throughout the holidays, causing several floods in Monroe County.
Most of the high water accumulated in the northern part of the county, and Hatley-Smithville Road was closed because of the excess floodwater. Old Highway 41 in Wren also closed.
Roads in Prairie were reported as having flooding issues.
Rainfall totals in Wren have been reported have reached as much as 8 inches.
Throughout parts of the county, floodwaters forced people to be evacuated from their homes and cars have lost control, according to Sheriff Cecil Cantrell.
Cantrell says for the people who do have to travel to drive with extreme caution and to call his department if any assistance is needed.
Robert Goza with Monroe County Emergency Agency said the flooding is a dangerous situation because of the swift waters in rivers and creeks.
“We encourage people to turn around and not drown,” he said. “We’ve had to dig people out last night who didn’t realize how bad it was. It’s still very dangerous.”
Monroe County is working closely with MEMA. They opened a shelter for displaced citizens at Meadowood Baptist Church in Amory.
“We’re still trying to do an assessment,” Goza said. “We do have some homes that are affected that are still in the damaged areas that we can’t reach yet. We will submit those numbers to MEMA when we have them.”
Ray Van Dusen contributed to this report.
zack.orsborn@journalinc.comTwitter: @thedaily_zack