The evening of March 22nd brought the unlikely formation of two tornadoes in New Orleans.  Based on the gulf and location of this part of New Orleans, it is rare to have one form where it did.  According to news reports, the community of Arabi just east of the the Lower 9th Ward was hit particularly hard. 

After several phone calls to local contacts and communication with others within our organization, Disaster Coordinator, Aaron Stetson, left this morning to assess the damage.  Looking to arrive late afternoon, he will relay what he sees on the ground. 

Central US Coordinator, Brian Wagner, is ready to depart for New Orleans tomorrow morning with tools and supplies, pending the report coming in from the ground. Steve and Deb Laforge, A-Team members in disaster response will be deploying tomorrow too. 

Right now we are asking our Reservists to stand ready for a potential deployment.  Please be in prayer for the survivors of this storm, along with prayers for discernment of if and how Hope Force can come alongside them with a ministry of presence. 

Our anticipation is that because of the densely populated area and the media coverage many organizations will be responding.  Aaron is looking at the need from tarp application standpoint.  Until we have that assessment we stand ready to get the call.