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In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact, Christian aid organizations are stepping up to provide crucial relief to the affected communities across several states.
With over 115 fatalities reported and a wide path of destruction, the urgent need for support has never been greater.
The Devastation in Buncombe County, North Carolina
Buncombe County, which includes the city of Asheville, has been particularly hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.
Sheriff Quentin Miller confirmed that the county has recorded 35 confirmed deaths, stating, “Devastation does not even begin to describe how we feel.”
The widespread destruction has left many families in despair, prompting an immediate response from local and national aid organizations.
Samaritan's Purse Canada involved
Samaritan's Purse Canada announced its commitment to helping those in need by deploying a relief team to the greater Tampa area in Florida. The team, equipped with a Disaster Relief Unit and other support vehicles, is set to leave Ontario imminently. They aim to assist the thousands of residents whose homes have been flooded and who are now displaced.
On Sept. 28, the organization shared on Facebook, “Our Canadian staff and skilled disaster response volunteers are deploying to support U.S. teams as they answer multiple calls for assistance across the country’s devastated southeast region.”
Their efforts will focus on five key locations across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
On-the-Ground Response Across Affected States
As of Sept. 29, Samaritan's Purse has established response sites in Asheville, North Carolina; Perry, Florida; and Valdosta, Georgia. They are working closely with local authorities to assess the ongoing damage and coordinate relief efforts.
In North Carolina, the organization is addressing critical needs in Boone, home to its international headquarters. The region has experienced significant disruptions, including toppled trees, flash flooding, and widespread power outages. To support local hospitals facing power loss, Samaritan's Purse has set up oxygen support units at Watauga County Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.