LEESBURG (FBW)-Disaster relief crews have finished their emergency work after the "Groundhog Day tornadoes" of Feb. 2, and are shifting into long-term recovery projects, according to Fritz Wilson, director of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief. A volunteer work force of around two dozen remains active of the more than 492 who completed clean-up projects in the week after the storms.

Coordination points which went into operation immediately after the storms—at First Baptist churches in DeLand and Leesburg—have ceased operation and moved operations to Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg, where volunteers are housed and fed in the conference center's North Camp.

The camp itself was affected by a tornado that damaged the chapel and some dormitory roofs. Wilson said downed and broken trees remain a concern for the crews at the camp. When not busy on residential clean-up projects, the volunteers are clearing damaged trees around North Camp.

"I have emphasized to the workers that we have to get the camp cleaned up for summer campers," Wilson said.

For only the second time in Wilson's 10-year tenure in Florida Disaster Relief, the tornadoes forced a wintertime activation of volunteers. Baptist volunteers responded in Feb. 1998, when tornadoes sliced through Osceola County, killing 42.

The recent storms have birthed a new cooperation between Florida Baptists, other faith groups, and Lake County Emergency Management, Wilson said. The county is heading a cooperative effort to provide long-term relief to its residents, and has made available county resources in the effort.

A base camp has been established at a Church of God youth retreat center on Highway 473 to house volunteers. Wilson told Florida Baptist Witness a laundry trailer from North Carolina Baptists may be moved to the camp. The long-term recovery effort has been named "Operation Groundhog Heroes."

"The county has recognized what resources faith groups bring to the table," Wilson said. "The reason we have been able to be so efficient so fast is that we have a good system of trained units available. To be prepared, it's always best to be involved in our regional training events for volunteers."

For more information on Florida Baptist Disaster Relief training, call 1-800-226-8584 ext. 3121.