As rainfall totals passed 12 inches, saturated ground led to fallen trees, dams giving way and more than 100 damaged roads in Bulloch County, Georgia, from Tropical Storm Debby.
Pastor Todd Wiggins of Southbridge Community Church was among those affected, as floodwaters crept into his home. The flooring in the master bedroom and closet will have to be replaced. The roof and exterior walls received damage as well. But he knows it could have been worse.
“We were blessed, because there were people who lost their whole home,” he said. “Others had damage up to 4 feet high, so in the grand scope, it’s not too bad.”
Area rivers are being monitored as they continue to swell. Wiggins has heard stories from other parts of the county of rainfall as high as 18 inches in 48 hours.
The timing is unfortunate. Statesboro is a college town and so has its share of hotels for those who may need a place to stay outside of their damaged home. But, it’s also move-in weekend for Georgia Southern University and those hotels rooms have been booked for some time by parents.
Southbridge already had plans in place to minister to those moving in. The last 24 hours, though, have required stepping in to help those in the flood as well as ministries and groups providing resources.
Brooklet First Baptist Church, southeast of Statesboro, has already hosted a meal for first responders. Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief personnel will be on-site Monday, said Wiggins, with Southbridge serving as the base of operations.
At least one church member had significant home damage.
“It was right next to Mill Creek and when it overflowed, he said it got maybe four feet high,” said Wiggins. “We had a dump trailer dropped off at his house today and have a team there ripping out today and tomorrow to help him get recovered.”
Southbridge is a relatively young church and congregation. It began 12 years ago as a church plant of First Baptist Statesboro, which had a thriving ministry to Georgia Southern. First Baptist’s college minister, Stewart Moody, was named pastor.
Wiggins came on board four years ago just as COVID hit.
“It was the day the world shut down, when my family moved here,” he said.
Just prior to his arrival, the aging congregation of Gracewood Baptist Church had voted to give its facilities to Southbridge.
“They saw the church was reaching the community, the elders were leading and teaching and what God was doing at Southbridge. They were excited our church was reaching college students and the Georgia Southern campus,” said Wiggins. “It was selfless and sacrificial for them to do what they did.”
The chance for rain has dropped significantly. So, ministry efforts will continue as planned, just with a few more added on.
“We had a great turnout today for move-in,” said Wiggins. “People are going through so much, and they still came out and served. It was a neat thing to see.”
This story was originally published by Baptist Press on August 9, 2024.
