Hurricane Michael Project Update
Thursday, November 8, 6:00AM
Rapid Response team members and volunteers continue the massive Hurricane Michael cleanup project. They are working in Colquitt, Georgia; Bristol, Florida; and Lynn Haven, Florida. Our teams have completed 285 jobs in the last three weeks. In the midst of huge needs and many requests for help, we are focusing on helping the most vulnerable—elderly people, widows, widowers, and those with health issues.
Chaplains continue to minister to distressed homeowners. Now, weeks after Michael hit, the grim reality of the devastation is setting in for many people.
Here are a few thank you notes from grateful cleanup recipients:
My heartfelt thanks to Daniel who coordinated, Caleb who supervised, and Ivan who was an artist with a chainsaw. Also to the other ten or so volunteers whose names I didn’t get a chance to know . . . They came on my property . . . moved tons of debris, would barely accept the water, shade, and chairs that I could offer, and then shook my hand and left.
I had to work alone in my house after three trees fell on it, to get them off my roof, and to get the wet drywall and insulation out before mold set in. To have someone come and offer what turned out to be extremely competent and capable help was a godsend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
*************
I am so grateful for the tree removal and cleanup of my dad’s yard. Words cannot express the gratitude for your wonderful crew and the help you gave my 86-year-old father.
Hurricane Michael Destruction
Rapid Response Project
Massive Cleanup Project Continues
Monday, October 23, 6:00AM
Rapid Response staff and volunteers continue helping with the massive Hurricane Michael cleanup project in Florida. Following are report excerpts from a staff member who just returned from Florida.
The devastation . . . is breathtaking. Electric poles are lying on the ground and miles of power lines, like snarled fishing line. Vehicles are huddled under fallen roofs or surrounded by debris, ready to be dug out and evaluated for damages. Trees are lying everywhere. Acres of trees are snapped in pieces. Roofs have gaping holes and siding has been shredded. Water, once taken for granted is rationed carefully. Food is appreciated like a small savings account.
The people look tired. Sad eyes tell silent stories of visible and invisible suffering. Some have lost homes, while others have lost loved ones.
Continue to pray for the thousands of people who face a mountain of cleanup and recovery.
Pray that God will sustain them in this difficult and discouraging time.
Power lines destroyed by Hurricane Michael
Downed power lines.
Hurricane Michael devastation.
Buildings are totally destroyed!
Restoring electricity.
Homeowners return to check out damage
Monday, October 17, 8:54AM
A week after Hurricane Michael made landfall, some homeowners are finally returning to their homes to check out the damage. In some coastal areas, all that is left are piles of rubble. People need to guess where their homes once stood.
Rapid Response cleanup started in Colquitt, Georgia, last Thursday. Our Rapid Response teams are also setting up a base in Bristol, Florida. We are considering having a third base for cleanup in the Panama City/Lynn Haven area.
While cleanup is underway in Florida, other Rapid Response team members and volunteers are still doing flood cleanup in Lumberton, North Carolina, and Conway, South Carolina.
Our Loaves and Fishes Food Kitchen continues to fill a vital need in Bristol, Florida. Many homeowners have no way to cook food and no place to buy it.
Pray for team members as they continue to investigate needs in Florida. They need much wisdom as they make plans for the next number of weeks.
Mexico Beach, Florida, before Hurricane Michael.
Mexico Beach Florida, after Hurricane Michael.
Rapid Response team members taking a break with a home owner.
Setting up Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen.
Unloading and setting up the kitchen.
Loaves & Fishes ready to serve.
The Loaves & Fishes cooks at work.
Loaves & Fishes serving line.
Loaves & Fishes serving line.
Unimaginable Needs Continue to Unfold
Monday. October 15, 1:57PM
Our Rapid Response team members in Florida continue to discover unimaginable needs following Hurricane Michael. A long-term Disaster Response Services worker says he has never seen anything like the destruction from this storm. Volunteers are tarping roofs and doing cleanup. Our Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen is serving about 1,300 meals per day.
Hurricane Michael killed at least 18 people. Dozens more remain unaccounted for as their families desperately try to contact them. Join us in praying for the thousands of distressed people who face a bleak road to recovery and grieve the loss of loved ones.
Hurricane Michael Devastation
Hurricane Michael Devastation
Christian Aid Ministries Rapid Response Team Member helping with Hurricane Michael cleanup.
Rapid Response Team members helping with Hurricane Michael cleanup.
Rapid Response Team helping with Hurricane Michael cleanup.
Rapid Response cleanup begins
Thursday. October 12, 4:04PM
Our Rapid Response teams have started cleanup for those affected by Hurricane Michael. They are no doubt facing weeks of work. The Rapid Response team members who are researching are encountering overwhelming and widespread needs.
The Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen is scheduled to arrive in Bristol, Florida, this evening. They will begin providing meals for those affected by the storm as soon as possible.
Rapid Response team members remove a fallen tree from a house.
Hurricane Michael damages.
“Roofs are gone and buildings are blown apart.”
Thursday. October 11, 2:24PM
A woman inspects damages to her family properties in the Panama City, Florida, area after Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida’s Panhandle.
Our Rapid Response team members are investigating needs in Florida and Georgia. “It’s like a 40-mile-wide tornado went through,” said a team member researching needs near Blountstown, Florida. “Roofs are gone and buildings are blown apart,” reported another team member.
Michael is the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida’s panhandle and the third strongest hurricane to make landfall in the continental U.S. Only an unnamed hurricane in 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969 made landfall with greater intensity.
We plan to focus intensely on providing cleanup in the weeks to come. The storm devastated various low-income areas that will need help with cleanup. Our Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen plans to head to Florida tomorrow morning to provide hot meals for those affected by the storm.
To help devastated homeowners, use the donate option below. If more funds are received than needed for this project, they will be used for other disasters in the U.S.
Hurricane Michael leaves a path of devastation
Thursday. October 11, 7:56AM
Hurricane Michael roared ashore on Florida’s panhandle as a category 4 storm. Winds of up to 155 mph tore buildings apart, tossed roofs off houses, splintered trees, and left homeowners reeling. Michael was the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida’s panhandle and the third strongest hurricane to make landfall in the continental U.S.
After lashing Florida and Georgia, Michael, now a tropical storm, is moving over the Carolinas where people are still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Hurricane Michael is expected to drop up to nine inches of rain in isolated areas of North Carolina.
Our Rapid Response team members are on standby, preparing to help as soon as possible. We may send our Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen to Florida to provide hot meals for those affected by the storm.
Pray for those who are facing an overwhelming path of recovery. Pray also for our Rapid Response team members as they investigate needs and find ways to help.
Hurricane Michael Hits Florida
Wednesday, October 10, 3:24PM
Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida this afternoon as a dangerous category 4 storm.
“This is a major storm and we are rolling our resources south,” says Paul Weaver, Director of our Disaster Response Services program. “It is fast moving and the main damage will be high winds and storm surge.” CAM’s Rapid Response teams are prepared to move in immediately after the storm.
Please pray for the many people who are in the path of this historic storm.
If you wish to help support Disaster Response Services, use the donate option below.
