Disaster Relief volunteers from at least 6 states helping in wake of Isaias

DESTIN, Fla. (BP) — Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are set up in several locations throughout the western Panhandle of Florida and southeast Alabama after Hurricane Isaias brought widespread destruction to the region.

At least four people died due to the storm, which came ashore in the Florida Panhandle close to the Alabama line Friday night, Oct. 9. The storm had sustained wind speeds of 105 mph when it made landfall near Destin.

Tens of thousands were still without power Sunday in both Florida and Alabama. Both Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey requested and received a declaration of emergency from the Trump Administration.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were in the region within hours, preparing meals, assessing damage, and beginning recovery efforts.

Florida Baptist Disaster Relief is partnering with the Salvation Army and has deployed multiple kitchens, preparing thousands of meals in Pensacola and Panama City, becoming available Sunday. Sites in Pensacola, Crestview, Milton, and Panama City have been established for cleanup and recovery, with Florida Disaster Relief receiving assistance from peers out of Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texans on Mission, and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

“I continue to be thankful that we had Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams on the ground in less than 24 hours and that we’re continuing to move volunteer teams into response areas as we bring help and hope to disaster survivors across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama,” said Coy Webb, Crisis Response Director for Send Relief. “Today we were able to serve thousands of survivors in the Florida Panhandle, giving them a hot meal and a touch of God’s compassion.”

Generators and other supplies to aid in cleanup and roofing repair are being made available through the Send Relief Rapid-Response Warehouse in Ashland, Kentucky.

Damage in Alabama, though not as severe as feared prior to Isaias’ landfall, is still widespread. Chainsaw and tarping teams are set up in Frisco City, Flomaton and Andalusia, as well as eastward in Enterprise. A Mobile-based DR team is working in Mobile.

In a video released Sunday, David Coggins, director of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief, said Isaias brought “great devastation” across the western Panhandle and asked for prayer and support.

“We pray that you would come and help us and that you would pray for us,” Coggins said. “Pray for opportunities for the Gospel that the Lord Jesus will impact the lives of those who have been devastated.”

___

This story appeared in Baptist Press.