Volunteer teams are serving in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Please pray for communities in need right now.
UPDATE (Feb. 4): We have now also opened a base of operations in New Albany, Mississippi, to serve those hard hit by the winter storm. Volunteers are welcome to begin serving as the hands and feet of Jesus at this location on Feb. 6.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers began serving homeowners Friday, Jan. 30, as we respond to hard-hit communities in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Teams are working out of four bases of operations in the wake of a major winter storm that swept from Texas and Oklahoma to New England over the past few days.
A Disaster Response Unit departed on Jan. 29 from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, en route to hard-hit areas.
HELP WITH WINTER STORM RECOVERY
“This huge winter storm has left families battling incredible ice accumulation in bitterly cold temperatures,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Our hearts break for those who have lost loved ones. As the ice begins to thaw, many are left with downed trees and wondering what they will do. That’s why we want to come alongside families to help them clean up and remind them that God loves them, and they are not alone.”
This response spans multiple counties and parishes across three states. These include the Mississippi counties of Lafayette, Alcorn, Tippah, and Tishomingo; McNairy and Hardin counties in Tennessee; and Louisiana’s Ouachita and Richland parishes.
Volunteer teams are helping homeowners in Jesus’ Name, removing fallen trees and other debris from their properties. Volunteers also have opportunities to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to encourage struggling families.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit spvolunteer.org.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also on hand at all locations to minister to homeowners, providing them with emotional support and spiritual encouragement.
This winter storm ushered in a dangerous mix of ice, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. Parts of the Southeast got hit hardest. At one point, more than 1 million U.S. residents were without power.
Oxford, Mississippi, and other communities across the Southeast are covered in ice after the massive winter storm.
Three Disaster Response Units (DRU)—tractor trailers packed with relief supplies and equipment—were deployed this week to the region. They set up bases of operations in the north central town of Oxford, Mississippi, and another in Corinth, a community in the state’s northeastern corner. A third DRU is in West Monroe, Louisiana. There’s also a sub-base in Adamsville, Tennessee, where day volunteers will serve the McNairy and Hardin county areas of the Volunteer State.
Please pray for families who are still suffering and for local churches as they minister to those in need. Pray also for our teams as they prepare to travel to these communities.
