Responding to Midwest Floods

I clipped this off of the Samaritan's Purse Website today:

June 18, 2008

As the waters recede, Samaritan's Purse disaster relief teams are beginning to mud out homes affected by the recent flooding in Columbus, Indiana.

Last week's torrential rains in Bartholomew County, Indiana, turned lush green farmland into lakes of brown muddy water, roads into rivers, and office buildings into islands. Water levels in Columbus crested to 12 feet above the flood stage.

Homeland Security Director Joe Wainscott said that Indiana has not seen flooding like this since the deluge of 1913. The region has been declared a federal disaster area, and emergency officials called on Samaritan's Purse to assist with relief efforts.

We are currently working with a church partner to aid those in affected areas surrounding Columbus. One of our Disaster Relief Units, which serves as a mobile command center arrived last week. Ten rapid response chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are also in Columbus to provide spiritual support for families experiencing trauma.

RESPONDING TO FLOODS IN IOWA AND WISCONSIN
Samaritan's Purse is also dispatching Disaster Relief Teams and tractor-trailer units to Iowa and Wisconsin to respond to record flooding in these Midwest states. Many more volunteers are needed to help homeowners salvage their possessions, clean out mud and debris, and remove soaked drywall, insulation, and carpet. If you are able to work with us in Iowa, Wisconsin, or Indiana, please click here.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Pray:
Please pray for people in Indiana and Iowa who have been impacted by this disaster and for our staff and volunteers as they provide comfort and help to those who are physically and emotionally exhausted.

Give:
To support the ministry of Samaritan's Purse to the flood victims, please select "U.S. Disaster Relief" on our Donation page.

Volunteer:
If your Christian group is interested in volunteering with our U.S. Disaster Relief Teams, please start by reading the information and filling out the questionnaire on our U.S. Disaster Relief page.

• "Highly Favored by God"
• Samaritan's Purse responds to violent storms in Georgia.
• Helping Tornado Victims
• Connected to Serve
• Overwhelmed With Gratitude
• Standing in the Gap

Hosting Samaritan's Purse disaster relief volunteers helps a church reach its community.