[Episcopal News Service]
A devastating tornado hit Charles County in southern Maryland on April 28, damaging several churches in the Diocese of Washington.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration damage assessment team rated the tornado an F5 on the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale, with winds in the 261-318 mph range.
Bishop-elect John Chane, assisting bishop Allen Bartlett and priests in region 6 and around La Plata, Maryland went the next day to evaluate the damage four local parishes suffered from the tornado and accompanying thunderstorm.
All Saints', Oakley
The Rev. Kathie Price reported that there was a loss of power to the church for an hour and a half. Parishioners in areas near La Plata did not suffer damage.
Christ Church, La Plata
The Rev. Joseph Trigg and Chane reported that the storm, the worst ever to hit the state, totally devastated downtown LaPlata. Christ Church's parish hall suffered more than the church building itself, with significant roof damage--about one-quarter of the roof was lifted up. Outside, trees and shrubs were uprooted and scattered. Damage to the parish hall is a major concern for the church, as one of its main sources of income is a day-school operated out of that building and closing down the school indefinitely for repairs will strain their resources, Trigg said.
'There were many windows blown out in the church and in the Hamilton Roberts House, but we lost no stained glass. There was no water damage anywhere; everything was quite dry,' Trigg reported Monday by email. 'As best I can tell, there is nothing that cannot be fixed. I understand that several families have suffered serious damage to their houses. I have not heard of any serious injuries to parish members.'
The church building suffered some damage, with one of the doors pulled away and some slight roof damage. As it is a historical building, Trigg said he was concerned to find the appropriate craftspeople to assist with fixing the damage. Church Insurance representatives and Robert Tomlinson, property manager at the diocese's Church House, is working with the parish.
Trigg's car suffered major damage to the windshield from the hail, and he said it looked as though someone had taken a baseball bat to the car. A parishioner's house was completely destroyed by the storm.
Ironically, he remarked, at the time the storm hit, a group was meeting in the parish hall to plan a trip to New York and visit Ground Zero. As the tornado hit the parish hall, he reported, the group ran to a bomb shelter and got a taste of their own 'ground zero.'
All Faith, Charlotte Hall
The Rev. Theodore Johnson reported that no parishioners were injured, although some lived very close to the scene of the devastation. One family lives about a mile from where the tornado destroyed homes and took a life; they reported that softball-sized hail stones broke windows and dented vehicles at their own and neighbors' homes. Some offices in downtown La Plata suffered damage, and many houses are without electricity and telephone service. Telephone service has been disrupted, and Johnson said he hasn't yet been able to contact every parishioner who lives in or near LaPlata.
St. Barnabas', Temple Hills
The Rev. Sherrill Page says the area got 'a lot of hail' but no other signs of damage.
Donations for the people of La Plata, Maryland, may be directed to Catholic Charities at the Charles County Family Life Center. Donations are used directly to assist the people of La Plata.
Send donations to:
Charles County Family Life Center
Marsha K. Tidler, Center Administrator
PO Box 487
LaPlata, MD 20646
Tel: 301-934-2582
Fax: 301-934-3439
Email: TidlerM@CatholicCharitiesDC.org
Further information is available on the Center's website, located at http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/center/somd_centers/charco_fam_ctr.html.
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