Volunteers are already working to help to hurt homeowners. Many more will be needed.

• Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28, delivering 150-mph winds, heavy rain, and a massive storm surge. It was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Florida and claimed more than 100 lives, with the death toll rising.
• Samaritan’s Purse North American Ministries quickly responded and has established volunteer bases with two partner churches and a third coming online this week.

Disaster Relief Units—tractor trailers stocked with equipment and supplies—headed to Florida on Sept. 29 from North Carolina. They arrived Sept. 30, and our bases of operation are now established at Citygate Ministries in Fort Myers and Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood. A third base will be established at New Life Church in Punta Gorda as truck and resources arrive.

“The damage is incredible—these people need our prayers and our support,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. “We’re going to need an army of volunteers. Prayerfully consider joining us to help in Jesus’ Name.”

Thousands of families have had their homes damaged by winds and water. Many volunteers are urgently needed to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to help those whose lives have been turned upside down. Teams started work on Saturday, Oct. 1, and have already begun to mud-out flooded homes, cut downed trees, remove debris, and tarp roofs.

“I’ve lived here for over 30 years and I’ve seen many hurricanes during that time. But this by far is the worst we’ve seen in this part of Florida. Many of our church members had to shelter at the church, many had their homes damaged or destroyed,” said John Boutchia, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, one of our host churches during this disaster response. “After an event like this it’s hard to know what to do next. Samaritan’s Purse has been a blessing. It’s been so good for our community.”

Please pray for all those who are hurting in Hurricane Ian’s wake. Pray for local churches facing their own losses even as they seek to minister to the suffering. Pray that God would touch and transform many lives as we work in Jesus’ Name.