Diane Pangburn had lived under a roof of blue tarp and damaged shingles since Hurricane Ian tore across her Florida community in 2022. When Hurricane Milton roared ashore in early October, it shredded that covering and torrential rain was channeled into her home. Milton, following so closely after Hurricane Helene, left many areas underwater. Bewildered…
Franklin Graham
Newsletter February 2025
Franklin Graham Update | February Franklin Graham Update | February Rising From the Mud and Ashes Dear Friend, Samaritan's Purse had the honor of hosting Donald Trump on his first trip as the 47th president, when he and his wife, Melania, came to North Carolina to encourage survivors of Hurricane Helene and see what the new administration can do to accelerate the recovery. It's…
Two Marias, One Almighty God
Separated by only 15 miles in the mountains of North Carolina, Maria Sixtos and Maria Chavez have both suffered in Helene’s wake—not only when the historic hurricane hit the area six months ago, but every moment since. For Maria Chavez, a stay-at-home mom, the storm’s damage to the family’s septic system created a daily nightmare…
Crisis & Disaster Response
A Workshop of Faith and Hope
Walter Lewis barely missed one great flood in Boone, North Carolina. That was 85 years ago—about five years before he was born. He did not escape a second great storm, Hurricane Helene, which hit late last year. More than eight decades ago, the 1940 flood triggered more than 2,000 landslides and caused 16 deaths. It’s…
Blue Ridge Resident Moves Into New Home
Joe Sherwood had never experienced a disaster like Hurricane Helene, which ripped up his hometown of Vilas, North Carolina –a small town tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The powerful storm left the home he had built over five decades earlier in ruins. What began as a peaceful morning playing checkers on his iPad…
Seeing the Valleys from the Mountaintop
A little over a year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, hope is being rebuilt one home at a time. Samaritan’s Purse Chief Operating Officer Edward Graham stood atop the mountain where Vanessa Bowens had played as a child, praying one day she’d live in a home looking down over the…
Media
Fact Sheet: North American Disaster Relief & U.S. Rebuild
North American Disaster Relief & U.S. Rebuild In addition to international relief efforts, Samaritan's Purse mobilizes staff and equipment and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters in the United States. After an initial response, Samaritan's Purse often stays behind to rebuild and…
Media
U.S. Rebuild
U.S. Rebuild These photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan's Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: "Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse." These photographs are not for commercial use. Maui, Hawaii 2025 After the Lahaina fires in 2023, Samaritan’s Purse opened a rebuild program in Hawaii. The rebuild…
Fire Chief Reflects on God’s Work in His Community After Helene
Fire Chief Stephen Freeman has lived in Bat Cave, North Carolina, for more than six decades. He’s seen severe and deadly weather events. But he’d never seen anything like the force of water that swept through the southern Appalachians in September of last year. He said he’s also experienced God’s presence and the love of…
Media
Media Resources
Press Kits Press Releases Fact Sheets & Bios Photos B-roll PSA Graphics Operation Christmas Child Media Resources Media Requests Press Kits Hurricane Melissa Response Full Press Kit Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Photos 767 Dedication and DC-8 Retirement Full Press Kit Press Releases B-roll Photos Gaza Relief Response Full Press Kit Press Releases Fact Sheets…
