N.C.-Based Organization's Disaster Response Specialists and Equipment Will Provide Emergency Relief for Storm Victims
BOONE, N.C., March 20, 2018— International Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse deployed disaster response specialists and two tractor-trailers filled with relief supplies to northern Alabama—an area devastated by widespread storms. Teams are arriving today to start assessing the greatest areas of need.
Stocked with emergency supplies and tools, one Disaster Relief Unit will be based in Gadsden, Alabama at Southside Baptist Church. The second unit will standby in Oxford, Alabama as the team monitors storm damage reports. These units will serve as a base of operation for staff and volunteers helping tornado victims recover.
“Last night's storms caused significant damage in Alabama with multiple tornados touching down,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. “As search and rescue efforts continue, our teams are on the way so that as soon as the area opens up we can be there to help the community get back on their feet. We want to provide physical assistance while also reminding families that God loves them and they are not alone.”
Samaritan's Purse will mobilize volunteers from across the country to help families start to pick up the pieces and recover from the storm. Volunteers will clear debris, remove downed trees, tarp roofs and salvage homeowner's personal belongings.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
- Bruce Poss, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse, coordinating the response
- Tim Haas, manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse (assessing damage in Alabama)
- Randy Corn, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse (assessing damage in Alabama)
Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team will be working alongside Samaritan's Purse to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement.
For more information about how to help or volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, go to spvolunteer.org..
Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization that has helped more than 40,000 families in 35 U.S. states following hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and ice storms. Recently, disaster response teams helped more than 4,600 families in Texas and Florida recover from Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
