Hurricane Delta crashed ashore in southwestern Louisiana on Friday evening as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds close to 100 mph. It hit just a few miles from where a devastating Hurricane Laura made landfall just six weeks ago. Strong, lashing winds and heavy downpours—with rainfall totals of 17 inches in some places—battered already…
Crisis & Disaster Response
The Light of Hope Breaking Through to Storm-Weary Lives
UPDATE (Dec. 22): Samaritan’s Purse is wrapping up our hurricane response in Honduras after providing critical physical aid and spiritual encouragement to suffering people over the past six weeks. Our medical staff treated more than 3,700 patients through the Emergency Field Hospital and mobile medical teams. We also partnered with local churches to distribute more…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Three Bases Up, Volunteers Working in Louisiana After Hurricane Ida
Deadly Hurricane Ida brutalized southeastern Louisiana Aug. 29-30, knocking out power for more than 1 million people, including the entire city of New Orleans. Fierce winds caused extensive damage while heavy rains and storm surge brought severe flooding. Samaritan’s Purse has rushed to help people in need. Staff members and three Disaster Relief Units—tractor trailers…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Helping the Helpers in Louisiana
Hurricane Ida rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm—leaving Heather and Jason Harper little time to evacuate their family of five from their home in Schriever, Louisiana. They knew they didn’t want to remain in their manufactured home, so they sought shelter in the nearby home of Heather’s mom, bracing themselves as heavy wind and…
She Never Knew There Was This Much Love
When Hurricane Ian slammed into southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 28, it battered the Gulf Coast town of Fort Myers with 155-mph winds, catastrophic rainfall, and an epic surge of water. Vivian chose to ride out the storm with her 16-year-old daughter believing that, no matter how horrific the hurricane was,…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Edward Graham Encourages Hurricane Survivors in Acapulco
Edward Graham, Samaritan’s Purse COO, visited Acapulco, Mexico, on Nov. 16 to encourage storm survivors and view some of the relief work our organization has provided in response to Hurricane Otis’ surprise strike on the popular tourist city in late October. “Hurricane Otis came through here and destroyed massive amounts of the city,” Graham said.…
Crisis & Disaster Response
JD Vance Joins Edward Graham in Helene-Ravaged North Carolina
Vice President Elect JD Vance visited western North Carolina today where the remnants of Hurricane Helene churned through the Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding in late September. Vance joined Samaritan’s Purse COO Edward Graham in Buncombe County (Asheville area) where they met with local residents affected by the deadly storm, which dumped as much as 30…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Gifting Vehicles to Hurricane Helene Survivors
“It’s all yours! Congratulations, sir!” James Roberts could hardly believe the words spoken to him by an employee of Hendrick Automotive Group. Thanks to Samaritan’s Purse partnership with the Charlotte auto dealer, a 2024 Toyota Tacoma crew cab 4 x 4 is now his. It was just three months ago that the Marshall, North Carolina,…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Edward Graham Dedicates Brand-New Bridge Rebuilt After Hurricane Helene
As Steve and Sharon Breitenstein watched the Watauga River rise in front of their home, higher than they’d seen in their time there, one thing was on their minds: Would the bridge hold? It had served as the only vehicle access on and off the property since Steve’s father built it in 1966. It was…
Media
Fact Sheet: Douglas DC-8
DC-8 Samaritan's Purse Aviation Since 1975, Samaritan's Purse has used aircraft to transport doctors and relief workers along with tons of food, medicine, shelter materials, blankets, and other items to aid victims of natural disasters, war, famine, and other emergencies. To support the work of Samaritan's Purse arounsd the world, the aviation arm of Samaritan's…
