Published on September 30, 2024, 12:34 am

Image source: Fox News

In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene, faith-based organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, The Salvation Army, and The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) sprung into action to deliver trusted news and real-time aid. The hurricane, one of the most destructive in recent memory, took a tragic toll on the southeast United States leaving over 60 people dead and millions without power.

Hurricane Helene first made its catastrophic landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a furious Category 4 storm. Flattening everything in its path with terrifying winds and torrential rainfalls largely impacted areas across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. This devastating calamity has claimed at least 63 lives across five states including South Carolina, where two firefighters were amongst those tragically lost to the storm.

The aftermath reflects the chilling magnitude of Helene as eyewitnesses have termed it “almost unfathomable”. Franklin Graham leader of both Billy Graham Evangelistic Association & Samaritan’s Purse seized social media platforms to implore prayers for safety for all those caught in this violent disaster while announcing their initiatives towards helping affected communities through their mobilized brigades providing physical aid coupled with spiritual solace.

These Christian organizations fortified their disaster response in strategic locations across Florida such as Tampa & Perry along with Valdosta in Georgia and High Country in North Carolina providing much-needed relief to these hard-hit regions. Chaplains from BG-RRT were also deployed offering emotional support at emergency shelters like Fletcher, North Carolina along with hospitals bearing the brunt of this calamity like Watauga County Hospital.

Samaritan’s Purse prioritized prompt responses across key locations such as Perry – the initial touch down point for Hurricane Helene – followed by an operational stronghold on Valdosta (Georgia) as well as Boone (North Carolina) aside from other critical areas grappling with aftershocks from powerful wind storms and flooding.

Samaritan’s Purse has initiated crisis-intervention efforts worldwide, but as Graham points out, “now the storm has hit in our own backyard”, adding a personal urge to their relief mission. This Christian organization is also reaching out to flood-ravaged areas like Asheville in North Carolina.

Across the nation, Convoy of Hope dispatched its resources predominantly towards Perry, Florida and initiated drive-thru distribution of essential groceries, water and hygiene supplies. Pastor Dave from Perry’s First Assembly of God Church outpoured gratitude for everyone involved with rescue operations.

The Salvation Army rose to the occasion by instantly deploying 10 mobile feeding units while keeping 35 additional units on standby. These units were responsible for serving meals to those affected by the disaster. Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army asserted solidarity with communities grappling with adversity.

With property damages escalading between $15-$26 billion across states according to Moody’s Analytics and over 3 million people still without power; faith-based organizations appeal towards global community rallying support for recovery efforts ranging from financial donations or volunteering physical assistance in rebuilding lives ripped apart by this violent force of nature exemplifying a Christian worldview based on empathy and benevolence.