The remains of a mobile home in the Bremen, Ky., area. Photo by Brent Messmore

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Recovery efforts are underway to help those affected by deadly tornadoes that swept through Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee over the weekend.

A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, with the tornado damage described as the most destructive in the state’s history.

Pierceton resident Brent Messmore is one of many involved in assisting.

Messmore and his wife, Renea, were watching the news Saturday morning and saw the complete devastation in Kentucky. The couple discussed the feeling of helplessness when searching for a loved one after a tornado. It’s a feeling Messmore knows all too well – his father was struck by debris and taken to a hospital when a tornado struck Da-Lite Screen in Warsaw in 2001.

“The time between when you know it hit where your loved one is working and being able to find them or find where they were taken is frightening and chaotic,” Renea said.

“The news was showing pictures and saying water lines were bursting, electrical lines were down and they were trying to bring in equipment to help move obstacles. It was easy to see that if they could run that equipment 24 hours a day they would have a better chance of finding people alive,” ” Renea told InkFreeNews. “I said ‘you know how to run all of that equipment and you have so much experience with all types of home repairs. They need people like you.’”

Messmore, now retired, was the owner of Brent Messmore Plumbing & More. He made calls to contractors in the area and contacted called World Compassion Network. There was a need.

Four hours later, Messmore left for Kentucky with equipment, a sleeping bag and food.

Messmore walked into the Bremen Fire Department in Kentucky and informed them he had skills and his own equipment. 

A fireman shook his hand and said they were glad he was there. They told Messmore they would supply him with meals and possibly a place to rest, if it wasn’t full at night, then sent him out with a squad 30 minutes later. 

Messmore has been cutting downed trees, clearing roads of debris and helping with searches.

After Renea posted an update on FaceBook, many people reached out to ask how they could help.

Messmore has met with Bremen, Ky., residents, fire department staff and the Bremen Mayor’s wife and daughter to obtain information about what is actually needed and how to donate. 

Totes to collect items is the first request from residents. Building supplies is a huge request. Cash for gas and other immediate expenses is very much needed.

Food and other personal needs are being covered by organizations such as the American Red Cross.

Renea contacted local companies and organizations to ask for help. She asked Scott Clay at NAPA Auto Parts in Warsaw if they had a box truck that could be filled and taken to Kentucky. The answer was yes. 

She then got ahold of Jill Blackwood of JB’s Furniture to see if the truck could be filled in JB’s parking lot – and received another yes.

Renea also contacted Sonja Hesser, leader of the Leesburg 4-H  Mighty Farmers, to see if they would be interested in donating and helping load the truck – and got a third yes. 

“With those three things in place, it was a go,” Renea said. “Other organizations are certainly offering their help as the word gets out.”

Donations will be accepted Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at JB’s Furniture and will be taken to Bremen, Ky., Wednesday, Dec. 15.

WHAT IS NEEDED:

• New plastic totes to collect anything they have left at their homes, garages or barns 
• Building Supplies – bungy cords, tarps, screws, nails, furring strips, ropes, hammers, staples and staple guns 
• Donations to MCLTDRC Recovery Fund (by check or Venmo) or Visa or MasterCard gift cards, fuel cards or cash donations for adhoc living expenses. (MCLTDRC is the Muhlenberg County LT Disaster Recovery Fund)