Samaritan’s Purse volunteer teams are serving in New York as homeowners recover from devastating flooding.
Brooks became rivers, and rivers became torrents of destruction as the quaint town of Highland Falls, New York, received 10 inches of rain in a matter of hours on Sunday, July 9. Homeowners stood helpless as the torrential downpour rushed through the mountainous terrain filling neighborhoods with nearly five feet of water.
Homeowner Joe Bartel received a special Billy Graham Study Bible with signatures from each volunteer. He was overcome with gratitude for the work on his home.
Samaritan’s Purse soon deployed a Disaster Relief Unit—a tractor-trailer filled with relief equipment and tools. Weary homeowners immediately began showing up on-site in tears and in desperate need. This unexpected and unprecedented storm shocked the community—many had no idea where to turn for help.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are helping families in the Highland Falls community by clearing mud and debris, extracting waterlogged drywall, salvaging personal belongings, and spraying homes for mold while reminding families that God has not forgotten them in this difficult time.
“We’ve had a lot of people come by to express their gratitude for us being here and the impact we’ve had on the community,” said Shannon Daley, regional program manager for US Disaster Relief with Samaritan’s Purse. With over 50 requests for help, the community has welcomed the presence of our volunteers with open arms.
“Most importantly, [we are] here to love on those homeowners and let them know that they’re not alone and that they’re loved by us and by our Savior,” Daley added.
We praise God as four people have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord so far during our first week working in Highland Falls.
Helping the Bartels
Dubbed as the “mayor of the block” by one of his neighbors, Joe Bartel is a point of refuge for his community, including those who are disabled and elderly. As Christians, Joe and his wife, Lovelyn, are known as hospitable, generous, and kind neighbors, opening their home to anyone who needs help.
Volunteers pray with homeowner Joe Bartel after helping him clean his flooded home.
Like many in the community, however, the sudden flooding surprised the couple, and to their misfortune, the rain came on the eve of the Bartels’ ninth wedding anniversary.
“It was sad that day. It was terrible,” Joe said. “We were just watching the water rise and all of a sudden it was flowing like a river in between the houses. That’s when all hell broke loose.”
The couple’s home flooded from both sides with nearly two feet of water when the hillside behind the home turned into a waterfall and the creek across the street overflowed.
“Twenty minutes, and everything was flooded,” Joe said.
Samaritan’s Purse Team Patriot volunteers, which consist of Operation Heal Our Patriot alumni—a project of Samaritan’s Purse that strengthens wounded veterans and their spouses—arrived to help. Within hours, the damp drywall and insulation had been removed, debris in the yard was cleaned up, and the studs were sprayed to prevent mold.
Volunteers carry ruined walls and flooring and other debris to the street.
Joe, a contractor for the government, could not contain his thankfulness.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Joe said about the work of Samaritan’s Purse. “Knowing that the help is here and that we don’t have to do it all ourselves is just a blessing.” He continued, “even though it’s a catastrophe, it brought people together. Good things are going to come out of this, and it just takes time for people to see it.”
Recovery has only just begun for residents in Highland Falls. Dozens of families need physical aid and spiritual restoration in the wake of this unprecedented disaster. Please pray for the lives uprooted by the flooding and pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would penetrate the hearts of homeowners. Pray for Samaritan’s Purse volunteers as they continually come alongside hurting families in Highland Falls in the days to come.
Samaritan’s Purse is also serving after flooding in Vermont and storms in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Sign up to volunteer at spvolunteer.org.
Volunteers are serving homeowners in Jesus’ Name after the catastrophic flooding swept through homes July 9.
