By Baptist Message staff
KENTWOOD, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been deployed in response to a tornado that impacted Kentwood on March 15.
According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, chainsaw teams, chaplains and assessors from Franklinton, First Baptist Church, Covington, and First Baptist Church, Kentwood began their response on March 16.
The tornado that touched down in the Kentwood area damaged 30 homes and downed power lines and dozens of trees, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported.
At least 40 people died in seven states after severe storms made their way throughout the South and Midwest, March 14- 15. AccuWeather reported that 52 tornadoes were reported, though not all storm surveys have not been completed. Additionally, wildfires in Oklahoma were responsible for four deaths.
In Arkansas, an EF4 tornado (166-200 mph peak winds) was reported by the National Weather Service in Diaz (190 mph winds) and Larkin (170 mph winds). It is the first EF4 tornado recorded in Arkansas since 2021.
A tornado that touched down in Troy ripped off part of a roof to the city’s recreation center gymnasium and caused severe damage to baseball fields at its sportsplex. It also caused heavy damage to several businesses and flipped over a tractor trailer in the parking lot of WalMart, the Troy Messenger reported.
The worship center at Calera Baptist Church was heavily damaged, though no one was injured.
After an outpouring of members and other volunteers who showed up to clean up, the church posted on its Facebook page: “So blessed to witness God’s love being shown through so many people. Much was accomplished. God continues to show His grace through His people. Thank you to all for your love and support. God is good!”
Tylertown, Mississippi, was turned into a debris field after a tornado leveled countless homes and businesses, Fox Weather reported. Another Mississippi community, Taylorsville, also sustained damage from a tornado, when trees were uprooted and businesses were damaged, according to WAPT-TV Jackson, Mississippi.
In Villa Ridge, Missouri, a tornado partially destroyed a Burger King and gas station, trapping 13 Burger King employees and customers inside a bathroom where they took shelter. Firefighters rescued all of the individuals, according to Fox Weather.
Extensive damage in Cave City, Arkansas included First Baptist Church, a grocery store, health clinic, pharmacy and auto parts store, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
In Butler County, Arkansas, a man died when a tornado struck his mobile home, AccuWeather reported.
And in nearby Poplar Bluff, a supermarket and kindergarten facility were among the structures damaged.
Multiple mobile homes were flipped and swept off their foundations in Johnson County, Illinois, KBSI-TV Cape Girardeau, Missouri, reported.
According to the Baptist Paper, DR teams from nine states were responding to the tornadoes and wildfires.
“Pray for the storm survivors and the safety of the teams at they remove some very large trees,” Statham told the Baptist Message.
To give to DR efforts or find out more about becoming a volunteer, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief.
From: Brian Blackwell <brian@baptistmessage.com>
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2025 10:49 AM
To: Philip Timothy <Philip@baptistmessage.com>
Subject: Tornado response
LBDR teams respond to weekend storms
KENTWOOD, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been deployed in response to a tornado that impacted Kentwood on March 15.
According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, chainsaw teams, chaplains and assessors from Franklinton, First Baptist Church, Covington, and First Baptist Church, Kentwood began their response on March 16.
The tornado that touched down in the Kentwood area damaged 30 homes and downed power lines and dozens of trees, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported.
At least 40 people died in seven states after severe storms made their way throughout the South and Midwest, March 14- 15. AccuWeather reported that 52 tornadoes were reported, though not all storm surveys have not been completed. Additionally, wildfires in Oklahoma were responsible for four deaths.
In Arkansas, an EF4 tornado (166-200 mph peak winds) was reported by the National Weather Service in Diaz (190 mph winds) and Larkin (170 mph winds). It is the first EF4 tornado recorded in Arkansas since 2021.
A tornado that touched down in Troy ripped off part of a roof to the city’s recreation center gymnasium and caused severe damage to baseball fields at its sportsplex. It also caused heavy damage to several businesses and flipped over a tractor trailer in the parking lot of WalMart, the Troy Messenger reported.
The worship center at Calera Baptist Church was heavily damaged, though no one was injured.
After an outpouring of members and other volunteers who showed up to clean up, the church posted on its Facebook page: “So blessed to witness God’s love being shown through so many people. Much was accomplished. God continues to show His grace through His people. Thank you to all for your love and support. God is good!”
Tylertown, Mississippi, was turned into a debris field after a tornado leveled countless homes and businesses, Fox Weather reported. Another Mississippi community, Taylorsville, also sustained damage from a tornado, when trees were uprooted and businesses were damaged, according to WAPT-TV Jackson, Mississippi.
In Villa Ridge, Missouri, a tornado partially destroyed a Burger King and gas station, trapping 13 Burger King employees and customers inside a bathroom where they took shelter. Firefighters rescued all of the individuals, according to Fox Weather.
Extensive damage in Cave City, Arkansas included First Baptist Church, a grocery store, health clinic, pharmacy and auto parts store, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
In Butler County, Arkansas, a man died when a tornado struck his mobile home, AccuWeather reported.
And in nearby Poplar Bluff, a supermarket and kindergarten facility were among the structures damaged.
Multiple mobile homes were flipped and swept off their foundations in Johnson County, Illinois, KBSI-TV Cape Girardeau, Missouri, reported.
According to the Baptist Paper, DR teams from nine states were responding to the tornadoes and wildfires.
“Pray for the storm survivors and the safety of the teams at they remove some very large trees,” Statham told the Baptist Message.
To give to DR efforts or find out more about becoming a volunteer, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief.
