Members Pitch In after Tornado Hits Arkansas

Nearly 50 Church members from the Fort Smith Arkansas Stake helped clean up after a tornado tore through Mena, Arkansas, USA, killing three people and injuring 30 others. No members or missionaries were injured or killed, and no Church facilities were damaged.

The tornado, which touched down on the night of April 9, 2009, damaged 600 homes, including 10 members’ homes, and left many people seeking alternate shelter for the night.

Initial surveys indicated the tornado brought winds up to 136 mph (219 km per hour), categorizing it as a three on the five-scale Enhanced Fujita scale.

Priesthood leaders worked to help members who lost their homes.