Less than 24 hours after Michigan’s Tittabawassee River crested at a historic level of 35 feet, Samaritan’s Purse disaster response specialists were on the ground, working alongside church partners and local government officials to determine the areas of greatest need. Days of heavy rainfall saturated the area and caused two dams along the river to fail—displacing thousands of Midland area families. A Disaster Relief Unit, a tractor-trailer stocked with supplies, is on the way and will serve as the base of operations, equipping Samaritan's Purse volunteers from the local region to provide immediate relief to impacted families.
“Thousands of families are displaced by this devastating flooding—bringing loss and fear to Michigan residents in an already uncertain time,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. “Please pray for God’s peace to cover those who are impacted, and that our teams would help them be able to return home quickly while demonstrating the love and hope of Jesus Christ.”
While Samaritan’s Purse monitors the impact of the coronavirus pandemic around the world, natural disasters continue to devastate local communities. The North Carolina-based organization is tailoring its response to safely provide critical relief to affected families. Teams of local volunteers will go out each day to help people mud-out their homes, clear debris, tarp roofs and salvage any personal belongings that may have survived the floodwaters.
Media Opportunities Interview Todd Taylor, Manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse Interview Lorenzo Torres, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse, on the ground in Michigan Download high-res photos of Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. Download broadcast-quality b-roll of Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. On-Site Media Contact: Alyssa Benson; abenson@samaritan.org; 828-266-5029Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team will also be deployed to the area to work alongside Samaritan's Purse in providing emotional and spiritual encouragement to individuals affected by this flooding.
For more information about how to help or volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, go to spvolunteernetwork.org.
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.