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Archive - Article 50
Operation Compassion: Aftermath of Tropical Storm Hannah
11/6/02
On Saturday night September 14th, 2002, Pastor Marcus Zipperer
and his family went to bed like everyone else in Donaldsonville,
Georgia knowing that Tropical Storm Hannah was going to pass through
during the night. In fact, it had started to rain lightly as the
evening progressed but no one was worried, as the storm’s
punch had been exhausted on the Florida coastline.
As the town of 10,000 slept, Tropical Storm Hannah slowed to a
snail’s pace and began dumping rain as it had on the coast.
Early Sunday morning many residents were awakened by the sound
of rushing water against their homes. In fact, a few downtown residents
were awakened by the water rising to levels over four feet in their
homes.
In a matter of hours, fifteen inches of rain had fallen on Donaldsonville
creating severe flooding. Because of poor drainage in the downtown
area, many homes, businesses and churches were submerged in six
to eight feet of water. Small boats were being used to rescue residents
from their homes, as millions of dollars in damage was being wrecked
upon the town.
During the day, Sunday, September 15th, the town’s people
were doing their best to save lives and as much property as possible.
As the day faded so did the rain. Tropical Storm Hannah had left
almost as abruptly as she arrived.
As the Monday morning dawn broke so did the reality of what had
happened the previous twenty-four hours. Total devastation! When
the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) arrived, the total
damage to property was estimated at over $8,000,000. To a small
town that was catastrophic! However, not one life was lost. Every
resident was accounted for and alive!
While Pastor Zipperer, his family and the Oak View Church of God
was spared any property damage. They were affected by the catastrophic
loss to the community and to five church families. They immediately
sprang into action lending support and help in any way possible.
The church became a clearinghouse for GEMA and Pastor Zipperer
called Operation Compassion for help.
When Operation Compassion received the call, the disaster relief
team responded by delivering a truck full of cleaning supplies
of all types for home and commercial applications. Pastor Zipperer
and his congregants setup a distribution point at the church so
residents of Donaldsonville could receive the necessary products
to begin the cleaning process.
Pastor Zipperer recently reported, “The town is slowly recovering
and many families are beginning to put their lives back together
again. But it is going to take some time before anything is normal
again. The greatest miracle in all of this disaster was no loss
of life. With many families waking up to four feet of water in
their homes in the middle of the night, not one person lost their
life to this flood.”
David Lorency, International Field Director, Operation Compassion
commented, “While no one wants to experience or hear of a
disaster or catastrophe, it is comforting to know that Operation
Compassion can and will respond in a moments notice. It doesn’t
matter if it is a flood in Donaldsonville, GA or a hurricane in
Honduras, Operation Compassion will continue to support those in
need of help and assistance.”
Tim Burdashaw
Communications
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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