Several Christian organizations are providing disaster relief across the southeastern United States after Hurricane Helen made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Tennessee last weekend. According to National Hurricane CenterHelen, which initially made landfall as a Category 4 storm, had killed at least 63 people in five states and left millions without power as of early Sunday. South Carolina authorities reported at least 20 people were killed, including two Saluda County firefighters. Meanwhile, at least 17 people died in Georgia, including two from the Alamo tornadoes. In Florida, the death toll rose to 11, including several drownings in Pinellas County.
One person was killed in Craig County, Virginia, after falling trees and buildings collapsed during the storm.
“This storm is amazing. I pray for the safety of all the victims.” [its] Franklin Graham heads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. I wrote on social media.
Hurricane Helen is expected to make landfall later today. Deadly storm surge of up to 6 feet is possible along Florida's Big Bend coast. This storm is predicted to be huge, bringing extreme winds, devastating rainfall, flooding, and the possibility of tornadoes, impacting areas far inland… pic.twitter.com/txYQ9efqz7
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) September 26, 2024
His organization provides material and emotional support to affected communities. christian post Reported.
in statement With the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, the group sent pastors to the hardest-hit areas, including Tampa and Perry in Florida, Valdosta in Georgia, and the High Country in North Carolina.
These pastors provide shelter, including one in Fletcher, North Carolina, and assist hospitals overwhelmed by disasters, such as Watauga County Hospital in Boone.
Josh Holland, BG-RRT's international director, called the situation across the state “almost incomprehensible.”
“We frequently prepare for storms and watched Hurricane Helen make landfall. Still, the impact of this disaster surprised many. The sight is almost unfathomable,” Holland said.
Similarly, in Samaritan's Purse, launched Relief efforts are underway at five major locations in the Southeast, including around a base in Perry, Fla., and additional bases in the North Carolina High Country, including Valdosta, Ga., and Boone, where Samaritan's Purse is headquartered. is installed.
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“Every day, Samaritan's Purse responds to storms and crises around the world, and now a storm is hitting our backyard,” Graham said. explained.
Another Christian organization participating in relief efforts is Convoy of Hope, based in Perry, Florida. The group is started Drive-through distribution of food, water, and hygiene kits.
“It was like an earthquake,” Perry residents said, the group said.
“We're so grateful that you're here,” said Pastor Dave of First Assembly of God Church in Perry. “I told my friends, ‘Help is here.’ You guys are incredible people.”
The Salvation Army is also continuing to operate, with 10 mobile feeding units deployed as soon as the storm approaches, and a further 35 on standby. The units are providing up to 1,500 meals daily to those affected, according to a statement provided to The Christian Post.
“In times of crisis, we stand in solidarity with communities facing hardship,” said Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of the Salvation Army.
Additional efforts by the Salvation Army include providing meals at several emergency shelters across Georgia and helping feed local disaster workers.
Moody Analytics estimates Helen caused $15 million to $26 million in property damage across the state, and more than 3 million people remain without power.
Photo credit: ©Melissa Sue Gerrits/Stringer
