Last week’s storm that brought damaging winds to many areas of Sampson and surrounding counties left many residents working to clean their yards of fallen trees and house debris.

Thanks to the efforts of local church groups and businesses, those residents now have clean yards and covered roofs on their homes.

Clinton resident Kayla Carter had several trees down in her yard. The largest of those trees fell on the front of her house, damaging the living room, dining room, kitchen and a bedroom.

“I felt so helpless,” Carter shared. “I didn’t know exactly what steps to take first.”

Members of the North Carolina Baptist Missions were there to help.

“They came in and cut all the trees, cleaned the yard and put up plywood and tarps,” Carter explained.

Because of the extensive damage to her home, Carter has to move to another location, and according to the home owner, when the group learned about her new housing arrangements, they cleaned up the trees and yard there too.

“They did everything,” Carter said. “They gave me other resources I could use. They were so friendly and caring. A true blessing.”

Employees from Southeastern Outdoor Products have also made trips out into the devastated areas of the county to assist residents.

According to Jordan White, the business has given tarps to the Emergency Management Services to distribute to those in need, as well as gone out to homes and helped residents place tarps over their damaged roofs.

“We took some tarps and drove out into the disaster areas to help,” White said.

In two days, White said they were able to assist 10 homes.

“When we heard there was going to be more storms coming, we decided to help,” White explained. “If they didn’t lose it before, we felt they possibly would when the second band of storms came through. We wanted to get out there and help the community.”

White said the company gave some tarps to the United Way of Sampson County and still have some available to those in need.

“We will continue going out into the areas and help,” White said. “Some homes had a tree fall on them, and as that tree is removed, we are going out and placing tarps on the home.”

Frankie Baldwin and other members of Rowan Baptist Church spent last Saturday out in the field working to help two local families cut trees and clean their yards. According to Baldwin, there were eight people in his group, ranging in ages from 12-62, that worked all day.

While at the home of Ozzie Newman and his wife, Baldwin said the group removed pecan trees by cutting them up and cleaning up the debris.

“I was really touched by Mr. Ozzie,” Baldwin shared. “He tried to pay us for the work that we did, but we explained to him that we were there to help him.”

Baldwin along with some members of his church completed disaster relief training through the Baptist Missions just a few months ago. The training, Baldwin said, couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I’ve been doing this kind of work for years,” Baldwin said. “Now, I’m just certified. It’s a great feeling to go and help people when they are in need.”

Members of Rowan Baptist Church and the North Carolina Baptist Missions helped clean up yards Saturday after a storm blew over trees.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_StormCleanUp3.jpegMembers of Rowan Baptist Church and the North Carolina Baptist Missions helped clean up yards Saturday after a storm blew over trees.

Local church groups have been going around helping residents clean up following damaging winds last week.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_StormCleanUp.jpegLocal church groups have been going around helping residents clean up following damaging winds last week.

Frankie Baldwin and eight other members of Rowan Baptist Church helped clean yards around Sampson County.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_StormCleanUp2.jpegFrankie Baldwin and eight other members of Rowan Baptist Church helped clean yards around Sampson County.

By Kristy D. Carter

[email protected]

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.