KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 10/10/24)—Approximately two weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed into the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast and left a path of devastation and more than 200 confirmed fatalities across multiple southeastern states, Hurricane Milton hit Florida, barreling ashore between Tampa Bay and Sarasota as a Category 3 storm on an eastward trajectory.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Milton surged over the Florida coastline slightly south of previously anticipated landfall at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, October 9. Once a Category 5 monster over Gulf of Mexico waters, the weaker yet still powerful weather system dropped torrential rain, caused severe flooding, and spawned more than two dozen tornadoes, one of which claimed multiple lives in a residential complex.
Meanwhile, relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene have been gaining momentum. “It is distressing to see images of the havoc caused by Helene and know that all the destruction represents lost lives, homes, businesses, and entire towns,” said Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS executive director. “American Baptists have a long history of disaster response as part of our Christian witness. We are directing donations and will strategically coordinate volunteer efforts as soon as reasonably possible,” he added, noting that some hard-hit locations are already experiencing a large influx of volunteers who will need guidance.
Haggray went on to explain that American Baptist Men en route to North Carolina are towing two shower and laundry trailers that they maintain. “Because of the generosity of American Baptists through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), ABHMS was instrumental in assisting in the purchase of these trailers for disaster response such as this,” he said.
The Rev. Lisa Harris Lee also offered her perspective as director of Healing & Transforming Communities at ABHMS: “We grieve and pray with the millions of people who were overwhelmed by Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton. In addition to financial donations, calls and emails have been coming in daily from American Baptists across the nation who are ready to help. We are in daily communication with American Baptist Churches of the South and other leaders across the six states in greatest need.”
Harris Lee cited the work of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, and First Institutional Baptist Church in St. Petersburg as examples of post-Helene recovery efforts that were underway in Florida before Milton struck. Congregation members were helping residents remove drywall from flood-damaged homes as part of crisis cleanup, providing support for temporary housing, and assisting with transporting daily wage workers who lost their vehicles to flood waters.
Harris Lee also underscored the importance of contacting appropriate federal authorities by those needing relief to gain access to available government resources. “There are FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, temporary offices set up after a disaster, to provide assistance with applying for federal relief, including answering questions about the application process and obtaining help in submitting information to FEMA.”
The Disaster Assistance Program Hotline for FEMA Assistance is 800-276-9511. To locate the most convenient FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, visit the DRC locator.
How you can help:
Please join American Baptists in supporting the relief efforts directed toward those affected by the recent hurricanes and their aftermath. One hundred percent of designated OGHS gifts are allocated to domestic disaster relief to address immediate needs and often long afterward as additional needs emerge. All your gifts will make a difference in the lives of people you may or may not know and show the love of God when and where it is needed most.
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing the distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.
You can donate via your church or directly online.
Checks designated to OGHS–Hurricanes Helene and Milton should be mailed to ABHMS’ Office of Development care of Kim Wilkins, 1075 First Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. If intended, donor checks should also include the name of the donor’s church and indicate “Helene and Milton” in the memo section of the check to ensure that the church receives credit for the gift.
To learn more about ABHMS, visit abhms.org.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.