Samaritan's Purse is responding in southeast Texas after Tropical Storm Imelda caused deadly flooding, displacing hundreds of families. Disaster response specialists and two Disaster Relief Units, packed with tools and supplies, pre-positioned closer to the affected areas on Friday, waiting for floodwaters to recede. Now bases of operation are established in Vidor and Winnie, Texas where volunteer teams are helping families start to recover.
“Tropical Storm Imelda caused unprecedented flooding in Texas with more than 40 inches of rain falling in some towns,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. “We are responding in Jesus' name to bring physical relief and hope to hurting families—many who were affected by Hurricane Harvey just two years ago. Please pray for those affected and especially those who have lost loved ones.”
Samaritan's Purse is calling on volunteers from across the country to help families overwhelmed by Imelda. Teams of volunteers will mud-out flooded homes, clear debris and help families salvage their personal belongings.
Media Opportunities Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse Todd Taylor, manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan’s Purse Chandler Saylors, U.S. Disaster Relief assistant program manager for Samaritan’s Purse, on the ground in Texas On-Site Media ContactMelissa Nystrom,828.719.9155mnystrom@samaritan.org
In 2017, Samaritan's Purse deployed disaster relief teams to five locations in response to Hurricane Harvey—Rockport, Victoria, Santa Fe, Pearland and Houston. These teams helped nearly 3,000 families recover from the storm. Long-term recovery efforts are ongoing in Texas as Samaritan's Purse aims to help 1,000 families return home through rebuilds, repairs, material assistance and manufactured home replacements.
Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.