GRAYSLAKE, Ill.—Kentucky Baptists are assist with relief efforts in northern Illinois where thousands of homes have been impacted by flooding.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief sent three teams of flood recovery volunteers last week in response to the urgent need. The teams, which included 30 volunteers and four chaplains, arrived in Grayslake, Ill., on Sunday, July 30, and worked through Monday, Aug. 7. 

Partnering with the Illinois Baptist Convention, which has already identified 250 people in need of help, the Kentucky teams helped residents shovel mud out of their homes and remove waterlogged furnishings and debris.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared disaster status for eight counties and provided 175,000 sandbags to protect critical infrastructure. Flooding earlier in the month was exacerbated by severe thunderstorms that pushed rivers out of banks and into roadways.

In Lake County, where Kentucky Baptist crews were working, more than 2,200 homes had been impacted.

“Our prayer is that these teams can bring help, healing and hope to the families in Grayslake, Ill.,” said Coy Webb, director of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief, a ministry of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

“This relief effort may extend for several weeks, if not months,” Webb said. (KBC)