Samaritan’s Purse has staff on the ground in Adair County, Iowa, in the wake of a ruinous tornado. A Disaster Relief Unit will be deployed and volunteer teams will soon be working.
Southwestern Iowa is reeling after a tornado leveled rural communities and killed multiple people on May 21. The twister tore through homes and businesses, shredded trees, smashed cars, and toppled power lines. Thousands across the state are without power. This devastating tornado is another in a long line of deadly and destructive storms to hit America’s heartland in April and May.
Greenfield, a town of 2,000, was among the most severely damaged communities, with many homes obliterated. Samaritan’s Purse staff members are on the ground now preparing for full deployment.
Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are at work in Greenfield, Iowa.
“On Tuesday, devastating tornadoes struck the heartland and left a trail of death and destruction,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “My heart breaks for those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and now have to rebuild their lives. Please join me in praying for them and for our Samaritan’s Purse teams who are responding in Jesus’ Name.”
Working alongside local churches and in collaboration with local emergency authorities, Samaritan’s Purse teams will be helping Greenfield and the surrounding communities in Jesus’ Name. A Disaster Relief Unit (DRU)—a tractor-trailer filled with supplies and equipment—is already en route from North Carolina and should arrive in Iowa Thursday night. Over the coming days, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers will remove strewn debris, cut fallen trees, help residents find valuable household items, and tarp damaged roofs—all the while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with hurting homeowners in this time of crisis.
Disaster Relief Unit 7 left our North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, campus May 22.
Our host church is Word of Life Family Church. Housing will be off campus at their Word of Life Family Church Power Company Teen Center, 1001 West Summit Street, Winterset, IA 50273.
Please pray for those affected by this latest disaster. Please pray for our teams to be salt and light, helping in Jesus’ Name.
Please prayerfully consider serving in Iowa as this response begins. We also have ongoing disaster relief work in several other states. To sign up, visit spvolunteer.org.
