Hurricane Francine

Response update: September 12, 2024, 12 p.m.

Last night, Francine hit Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved into Mississippi, dumping large amounts of rain and causing widespread power outages in the region.

Louisiana Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is assessing damage, readying volunteer clean-up teams and working with other states’ SBC Disaster Relief chapters to stage mobile kitchens to feed survivors and first responders in the hardest-hit areas.

Send Relief is sending supplies and 25,000 meals to support the SBDR teams — including temporary roofing and mold remediation supplies — from its regional response warehouse at the Send Relief Appalachia Ministry Center in Ashland, Kentucky, as well as from Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston, Louisiana, which partners with Send Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Response update: September 10, 2024, 8 p.m.

As Hurricane Francine approaches Louisiana, Send Relief is coordinating with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief and multiple other states’ SBC Disaster Relief partners to prepare to help. With heavy rains and flooding likely, please pray for safety for those in the storm’s path and for opportunities for local churches to show God’s love to their neighbors.

Hurricane Ernesto

Response update: August 15, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Tropical Storm Ernesto, since upgraded to Hurricane Ernesto, made landfall in Puerto Rico early Wednesday. More than 1.8 million people have been impacted by the storm’s hurricane-force winds, flooding, and mudslides. Approximately 700,000 homes are without power, and 600,000 people do not have access to clean water.

Disaster Relief teams are working right now to distribute water, tarp roofs, and clear trees with chainsaws. Local churches and trained volunteers are leading the response in partnership with Send Relief, Send Network, and the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in Puerto Rico. In addition, a group of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers was also in Puerto Rico for a disaster relief training when the storm hit. Together, we have been able to quickly respond to needs on the island.

Access to clean water is the current greatest need, and teams are prepared to support 12 feeding sites if needed.

Send Relief is committed to serving the people of Puerto Rico now and in the months ahead, including rebuilding homes. Please pray with us as recovery begins.

Hurricane Debby

Response update: August 8, 2024, 3:00 p.m.

As Hurricane Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm, it continued to dump a large volume of rain across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, and has spawned some tornadoes in North Carolina. Power outages and flooding conditions have complicated the situation for residents in these areas. Florida Baptist Disaster Relief teams have partnered with The Salvation Army to serve 6,800 meals from First Baptist of Perry. Florida Baptist Disaster Relief chaplains have also deployed to other sites where the Salvation Army is serving meals, engaging with and ministering to some 1,000 survivors of the storm. Assessors are also assessing needs across Florida, and have deployed chainsaw teams and other volunteers to help homeowners protect damaged roofs with temporary tarps.

In Georgia, the Disaster Relief team there likewise has deployed assessment teams, chaplains and other cleanup teams, as well as a shower trailer. Send Relief has pre-staged supplies as needed for the state.

South Carolina SBDR assesses minimal damage and flooding, but has deployed assessors and partnered with the Salvation Army for a small feeding response in the state.

And in North Carolina, teams are on standby as the storm continues to make its way through the state, ready to respond to at least one community that was inundated with 3 feet of water. They anticipate chainsaw teams will be needed, and the cleanup will be able to begin in the coming days, once the immediate danger passes, especially in flooded areas.

Response update: August 5, 2024, 1:30 p.m.

Hurricane Debby made landfall early Monday, as Send Relief and SBC Disaster Relief teams are on standby to respond with record-setting rainfall is expected across the affected region, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Response update: August 4, 2024, 5 p.m.

As Tropical Storm Debby threatens to make landfall Monday, August 5, as a significant Category 1 hurricane, Send Relief and SBC Disaster Relief are actively monitoring and preparing to respond in the affected region. Please pray for safety for those in its path, who are still recovering from prior storms.

Hurricane Beryl

Response update: July 17, 2024, 10 a.m.

Since Hurricane Beryl’s landfall, Send Relief has worked with Caribbean national convention partners and local pastors to assess needs.

Our team is partnering with local Baptist churches to formulate a response for families and communities impacted by the hurricane in the Caribbean. Right now, the greatest needs are tarps for temporary roofing, food and hygiene kits, storage containers, mattresses, sleeping bags and cooking equipment and utensils. Your gifts to Send Relief’s Hurricane Response Fund are helping meet those needs.

Response update: July 10, 2024, 12 p.m.

Southern Baptist Disaster Response (SBDR) teams are continuing to respond to Hurricane Beryl in Texas. Deployed teams include feeding units, chainsaw teams and shower trailers. SBDR volunteers are providing thousands of meals each day to survivors across the state. Please pray for these teams as they minister to survivors by meeting physical needs.

Response update: July 5, 2024, 3 p.m.

Hurricane Beryl impacted Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on July 5, 2024 and was downgraded to a tropical storm, after having wreaked havoc earlier in the Caribbean as a record-setting Category 5 storm. It is forecast to quickly strengthen to a hurricane again over the Gulf of Mexico, before impacting South Texas early this week.

Send Relief is staging supplies and working with disaster relief teams from Texans on Mission and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention to be prepared to quickly respond to needs in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

Your gifts to Send Relief’s hurricane response fund will provide much-needed food, water and essentials to communities recovering from disasters like Hurricane Beryl.

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