The international Christian relief
organization is helping families in need in Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
BOONE,
N.C., Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samaritan's
Purse is responding to overwhelming needs in Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida following the catastrophic damage from
Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm made its historic landfall
with 140mph winds along Florida's
Big Bend region on Thursday night leaving an enormous path of
destruction that flattened homes and inundated communities. More
than 50 lives were lost across multiple states, and search and
rescue efforts are ongoing.
Samaritan's Purse Responds to Hurricane
Helene in Western North Carolina,
Eastern Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
Samaritan's Purse disaster relief specialists arrived in
Georgia and Florida on Friday afternoon to begin
assessments. Two Disaster Relief Units—tractor-trailers stocked
with tools and equipment— also departed North Carolina on Friday to serve as a base of
operations for volunteer teams. Additionally, the N.C.-based
organization is responding in Western
North Carolina through disaster relief as well as setting
up a field hospital unit in the parking lot of the Watauga
Medical Center to provide oxygen for patients who have no power at
home.
"Samaritan's Purse responds to help with storms and crises
around the world every day, but now the storm has hit in our own
backyard. Hurricane Helene slammed western North Carolina and the surrounding area, as
well as Georgia and Florida. Homes have been flooded and some even
washed away, trees are down, and tens of thousands are still
without power," said Franklin
Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "Our hearts go out
to all those who have lost so much and we want to help as many as
we can in Jesus' Name."
In the coming days, volunteers from across the country will
assist families in Western North
Carolina; Eastern
Tennessee; Perry, Florida;
the greater Tampa area; and
Valdosta, Georgia. By securing
tarps on damaged roofs, removing downed trees, and cleaning out
waterlogged homes, volunteers will remind families that even in the
midst of tragedy, God has not forgotten them.
As news of the devastation continues, Samaritan's Purse will
continue monitoring other hard-hit areas in the U.S. and assess
communities where the needs are overwhelming. Chaplains with the
Billy Graham Rapid Response team are also deploying alongside
Samaritan's Purse to provide spiritual relief and comfort to people
who are hurting.
MEDIA REQUEST FORM
Media Opportunities
- Interview Edward Graham, chief
operating officer of Samaritan's Purse
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of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse, on the ground in
Florida
- Download high-res photos of Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster
Relief
- Download broadcast-quality b-roll of Samaritan's Purse U.S.
Disaster Relief
Based in Boone, North Carolina,
Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of
individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few
others are working. Led by Present and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse works in more
than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease,
poverty, famine, and persecution. For more information, visit
SamaritansPurse.org.
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SOURCE Samaritan's Purse