Responding to Devastating Tornadoes in the Southeast
March 19, 2025
Our hearts go out to millions of people impacted by the severe storms that tore through the Midwest and Southeast U.S. over the weekend of March 14. A powerful storm system brought deadly tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms, leaving behind a path of widespread destruction. All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) is on the ground, committed to assisting with urgent relief efforts and preparing for what’s to come in long-term recovery.
An estimated 100 million people were affected by the storms, which resulted in at least 42 reported deaths. Between March 14 and 16, 52 tornadoes touched down across multiple states. Missouri bore the brunt of the destruction, with at least 12 fatalities and significant damage reported in Florissant and St. Louis counties. In Oklahoma, nearly 300 structures were destroyed by fast-moving wildfires, fueled by winds reaching up to 80 mph.
AHAH IS ON THE GROUND
March 21, 2025
Our team has been hard at work, completing tree and debris removal at four sites while closely coordinating with other groups on the ground including government-led emergency management, the Southern Baptists and Team Rubicon to ensure an efficient response. Part of our team has moved to Poplar Bluff, the “Gateway to the Ozarks”, where there is a significant need for debris cleanup, particularly for elderly residents. Bluff First Church has welcomed us with accommodations, and with additional experienced volunteers arriving in the coming days, we’re prepared to tackle high-priority and complex tree removal cases to further support impacted communities.
March 19, 2025
AHAH arrived on the ground on March 16, as soon as it was safe to deploy. Our Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is currently in Missouri, conducting damage assessments in Florissant and Hazelwood, a lower-income area in northern St. Louis County. With our 20 years of disaster response experience, we recognize hazardous tree and debris removal as urgent priorities after storms and tornado outbreaks, and our skilled sawyers are actively working to clear dangerous trees and storm debris to restore safety and access to homes, roads and businesses. These essential first steps ensure that neighborhoods are safe enough to move onto the next phases of recovery.
We are working closely with Missouri’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to ensure we are plugging in where we are needed most. Following guidance from the EOC, we are prioritizing damage assessments and debris removal to help communities begin their road to recovery.
In a recent St. Louis Public Radio article, a local resident expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by AHAH in the direct aftermath of the tornadoes:
All Hands and Hearts, a disaster relief nonprofit, offered to help with cleanup as they attempted to salvage what they could.
“We’re currently grateful for something like that because nobody should have to go through something like this,” Helling said. “When you see the aftermath, you start asking yourself, ‘What do I do?’ so having an organization like that pop up, it’s just a huge help.”
While every disaster is different, our guiding principle remains the same: we listen to community needs, collaborate with local partners and commit to long-term recovery. This measured approach ensures that the right help reaches the right people at the right time.
Your support makes this work possible. Please consider donating to help us continue providing critical relief to disaster-impacted communities. Together, we can make a difference.
Consider joining our community of Builders: our dedicated monthly donors who provide steady, reliable support, allowing us to arrive at a moment’s notice when disaster strikes and help communities recover and rebuild through the long term.
Thank you for standing with communities in their greatest time of need.
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