Josh Hatcher and his two children were determined to move forward in their new place—a mobile home in Aberdeen, Mississippi—after fire destroyed their original house in February. But about a month later, on March 24, a powerful twister wrapped their latest home around a large oak tree. Their belongings were scattered across a field and…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Tornado Survivors Grateful for God’s Protection
Coella and Manley Tate hid in the bathtub as a tornado hit their Bertie County home of more than 20 years. They prayed for God’s protection and said ‘I love you’ for what they believed would be the last time. The EF-3 tornado ravaged their home at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 4. Though a similar…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Restoring Hope in Spokane
Volunteers are hard at work in the aftermath of wildfires in eastern Washington state. The Gray Fire and Oregon Road Fire destroyed more than 350 homes in Spokane County, and as our teams sift through the ashes, they are reminding homeowners that God sees them and loves them. Samaritan’s Purse has been in eastern Washington…
Picking Up the Pieces After Oregon Fires
“Evacuate now!” Around 3 p.m. on September 8, Stephen MacAuley was playing the piano in his Phoenix, Oregon, townhouse when he saw a police car drive by and heard an officer announce the emergency warning through a bullhorn. Stephen knew wildfires had been reported in the area, but he never thought they would reach his…
Media
COVID-19 Bahamas Response Press Kit
Media Resources Media Requests Press Releases Fact Sheets Approved Quotes Photos B-roll COVID-19 Bahamas Response Samaritan's Purse deployed an Emergency Field Hospital to Nassau after an increase in COVID-19 cases overwhelmed the local healthcare system. With more than 2,000 active cases across the islands, hospitals were inundated with patients suffering from the coronavirus. Samaritan's Purse…
50 Years of Ministry
Deploying Military Couples to the Frontlines of Disasters
At the 2019 Operation Heal Our Patriots Reunion in Dallas, Texas, we invited military couples to join our U.S. Disaster Relief efforts as part of our new Team Patriot project. Since the first Team Patriot teams deployed in August of last year, Samaritan’s Purse has sent more than 100 individuals to serve again on the…
Flood Relief Wraps Up in the Northeast
In early July, historic rainfall in the Northeast prompted severe flooding that devastated homeowners. Samaritan’s Purse responded in the communities of Highland Falls, New York, and Barre, Vermont, and their surrounding areas to provide much-needed relief. Over the past weeks, dedicated volunteers have worked to mud out homes as well as remove soaked drywall and…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Samaritan’s Purse Extends Hope to Middle Tennessee Families This Christmas
A heartbreaking scene unfolded on Dec. 9 when twisters wreaked havoc in Middle Tennessee communities and claimed the lives of six people, including two young children. Scattered among the pieces of splintered homes were colorful Christmas decorations, which stood in stark contrast to the joy that the Christmas season usually brings. “It’s one of the…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Responding to New Mexico Wildfires
U.S Disaster Relief teams are now in Central New Mexico where multiple wildfires have consumed over 25,000 acres and, sadly, left two people dead. We are focusing our efforts on the town of Ruidoso, located between the Salt and South Fork fires. The latter alone has devastated 17,000 acres and 1,400 structures, over half of…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Finding Relief—and Family—in the Wake of Texas’s Wintry Mess
As Austin, Texas, resident Netsi Akalu opened the door to her home of ten years, several inches of water poured from the ceiling. With it, came a flood of emotions. “I saw that the water was coming from the ceiling, the living room, my bedroom, and my baby’s bedroom,” Netsi said. “Two and a half…
