Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm last evening southwest of Perry, Florida, about 30 miles northeast of where Hurricane Idalia made landfall in August 2023. It moved forward at 25-30 miles per hour and was downgraded to a Category 1 status around 4:00 a.m. Friday, just south of Macon, Georgia.
Helene is still a Tropical Storm in northern Georgia, bringing flooding rains to South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Various areas in the Appalachian Mountains are at risk of flooding. These areas have received and will receive more rain as the system slows down and merges with another system that has been drenching the area in recent days.
The violent storm affected many of the same areas where Rapid Response and Disaster Response Services worked last year after Hurricane Idalia. After contact with the pastor of a church in Perry, Florida, this morning, he said the damage is worse than Hurricane Idalia. Many people evacuated and have not yet been able to return due to flooding and downed trees, so we don’t have an accurate picture of the extent of the damage.
Once possible, Rapid Response team members will research in Tallahassee, Perry, and Steinhatchee, Florida, as well as areas of the inland states affected by the storm. As soon as they can get in, the team members will research the need for CAM’s Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen.
This project will likely require assistance from various Rapid Response teams.
Please pray for:
- The people of Florida as they return home to see what damage has been done to their homes.
- Safety for those in the potential flood zone as the storm moves inland.
- Wisdom and direction for Rapid Response research.
If you want to help Disaster Response Services with cleanup and rebuilding projects, click the donate button to give a gift.
