Tornado recovery continues in Adairsville - KMSP-TV

The federal government has granted disaster relief to Mississippi, something it has denied Georgia even though both states were hit hard by tornadoes.

Despite sustaining heavy damage in the storm, Adairsville did not meet federal standards to qualify for the aid, official said.

To make up for the lack of federal aid, thousands of volunteers from the local churches and from faith-based relief groups around the country, as well as the Red Cross and Salvation Army, have stepped in to help.

Charles and Eloise Matthews sought assistance at a church relief center on Thursday, 15 days after the tornado destroyed their home.

"We hid from the tornado in our linen closet.  The tornado overlooked us but got our house instead," said Matthews.

They are both 82, both missionaries. They thought they'd wait at the end of the relief line before asking for help, thinking their neighbors might need it more, even though they lost everything and have been without power for two weeks.

Charles Matthews said he was upset by the lack of federal assistance.

"I don't mean to be ugly, but the present government thinks that the government does everything, but some things they don't do," said Charles Matthews.

That comment earned Charles a subtle tap on the leg from his wife: a request to be quiet.  

FOX 5's Doug Evans said that he has found very few complaints here about the lack of federal aid; north Georgia prides itself on self-reliance.

Adairsville Church of God is the relief center.  Pastor Ken Coomer they provide whatever anyone might need with no red tape or forms.

An army of volunteers will return to Adairsville this weekend to continue cleaning up and begin rebuilding. For more information, visit: www.bartownrelief.org