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Five people died and over 500 needed rescuing after Hurricane Debby dumped over a foot of rain on Sarasota, Florida, earlier this month.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is in the Gulf Coast city alongside humanitarian aid organization Samaritan’s Purse to help meet residents’ needs.
“We know that hurricanes bring strong winds and rain with them, but we often forget that the coastal areas impacted are also susceptible to rising waters from high tides and storm surge,” said Josh Holland, international director of BG-RRT. “All of those elements together bring catastrophic results to those in the path of the storm.
“Our chaplains are [in] this hard-hit area to provide emotional and spiritual care to those who are beginning to rebuild after sustaining tragic losses.”
Crisis-trained chaplains will comfort residents, pray with them, and bring the hope of Jesus Christ.
Chaplains are also deployed in Savannah, Georgia, following devastating flooding there. Last month, they began ministering in Texas, as well as the Caribbean island of Carriacou, after deadly Hurricane Beryl left a wide path of destruction.
Please pray for all those grappling with loss across the Southeast, and for our chaplains as they comfort these communities and point people to Christ.