On March 19, 2018, a tornado touched down just north of Wellington. The tornado cut an East-bound path of destruction over 34 miles long across the Georgia state line. The tornado strengthened to an EF3 as it entered Jacksonville and damaged buildings across the campus of Jacksonville State University and the surrounding community. Led by Jerry Stitzel and Lynn Gorham Entrekin, Operation BBQ Relief set up a deployment site to serve Southside, Jacksonville, and the nearby communities. Operation BBQ Relief served hot BBQ meals to displaced families and emergency responders.