Disaster Relief Supplies For Historic Hurricane Ian

disaster relief supplies for hurricane ian victims

FLORIDA – Since Hurricane Ian struck southwestern Florida, this historic storm has ravaged cities all along the coastline causing catastrophic damage. High-speed winds and torrential rain leveled areas like Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. Giant boats lie smashed in the streets. Over twenty people have been reported dead, and hundreds have been rescued—with both of those numbers expected to skyrocket in coming days. Right now, your support is needed more than ever.

Disaster Relief For Naples, Florida

Already, Operation Blessing supporters have reached out in compassion to touch the hurting with tangible aid. Before the storm even made landfall, the Operation Blessing Disaster Relief Team was already on the ground in Florida prepping gear and loading trucks with essential supplies and tools. Now, our team is on the move delivering vital disaster relief supplies for Hurricane Ian. We made it to Naples, Florida, with our first load last night. Today we’ve begun deliveries to multiple other locations, and will be working feverishly throughout the weekend to get aid where it’s needed most. We anticipate months of intensive work ahead of us as we bless the shattered people of Florida.

Operation Blessing Senior Deployment Manager, David Wright, says, “Thanks to the support of Operation Blessings partners, we’re able to be here handing out much needed supplies—things like generators, tarps, and emergency food and water. We’re also partnering with local churches in the area to help find the greatest needs. “

Disaster Relief Supplies For Hurricane Ian Victims

We can’t stress enough how dire disaster relief supplies for Hurricane Ian victims is at a time like this. Floridians need water, food, generators, tarps, cleaning supplies, and help restoring their communities and their lives. Perhaps just as importantly, they need comfort, support, encouragement, and hope! Let’s all work together to make a true difference for disaster victims in urgent need. You can help now here.

Ready to Assist as Florida Endures Hurricane Ian

**UPDATE 9/30/22 – Our disaster relief team is officially on the move and delivering vital supplies to help hurricane victims in hard-hit areas like Naples, Florida!

FLORIDA – Operation Blessing’s Disaster Relief team is on the ground in Florida, ready just outside of harms way. We are preparing our arsenal of disaster relief equipment and supplies to help families recover after Hurricane Ian passes. Damage reports are flooding in and our local partners are reaching out for urgent help! We will roll out just as soon as travel is possible.

While Hurricane Ian was making landfall, our staff was making sure chainsaws and other essential items are all ready to go. Inside and out of our warehouse we staged pallets of bottled water, Gatorade, tarps and cleaning supplies and loading them onto our trucks and trailers ready to deploy to the areas most affected by Hurricane Ian. One of the ways Operation Blessing can help people facing extensive Hurricane Ian damage is by being ready to go into action as soon as it is safe to do so.

Being Prepared And Assessing Hurricane Ian Damage

As the Hurricane Ian damage gets assessed, Operation Blessing can begin devising a plan to help distribute the supplies. The goal is to get supplies to the places they are most desperately needed. Accordingly, Operation Blessing will work with our local partners to determine how to distribute items the most effectively.

Thanks to the support of Operation Blessing partners, the disaster relief team is equipped to mobilize ahead of the storm to help families take their first steps towards recovery.

Please keep Florida in your prayers. You can help desperate disaster victims now here.

Hurricane Ian Slams Florida as Catastrophic Category 4 Storm

Hurricane Ian slams Florida as a Category 4 storm

**UPDATE 9/30/22 – Our disaster relief team is officially on the move and delivering vital supplies to help hurricane victims in hard-hit areas like Naples, Florida!

FLORIDA – Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida as a catastrophic category 4 storm, about 90 miles south of Tampa Bay near Caya Costa. However, it wreaked havoc over a far larger area including much of Florida’s southwestern coast. Storm surges reportedly reached as high as 18 feet. Buildings were flattened and houses washed away. Authorities fear hundreds are dead.

Roughly 2.17 million residents are without power, and over 10,000 people have hunkered down in shelters. Storm conditions led to the closing of multiple airports, railroads, and ports. The Coast Guard made over 20 rescues yesterday. A large portion of them took place in Ft. Myers. Damage reports will be pouring in throughout the day. Catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge are forecast to continue as Tropical Storm Ian moves towards Georgia and South Carolina.

As Hurricane Ian Slams Florida Operation Blessing Stands Ready

Thankfully, our USDR team weathered the storm safely. We remain on standby with large quantities of disaster relief supplies and equipment in Ocala, Florida, outside the hardest hit areas. Right now we’re assessing the damage and reaching out to local partners. We will move into the harder hit areas with disaster aid just as soon as travel is possible.

During this tragic time, please keep Florida in your prayers! And pray for our disaster relief team as they reach out to heartbroken survivors. You can give a special gift to disaster victims today at ob.org/disasterrelief

HELP NOW!

Hurricane Ian Threatens the Gulf Coast of Florida

Hurricane Ian threatens Gulf Coast of Florida

**UPDATE 9/30/22 – Our disaster relief team is officially on the move and delivering vital supplies to help hurricane victims in hard-hit areas like Naples, Florida!

For all the latest Hurricane relief efforts, follow us at https://ob.org/tag/hurricane-ian

UPDATE 9/29/22: Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida as a catastrophic category 4 storm, about 90 miles south of Tampa near Caya Costa, but wreaking havoc over much of Florida’s southwestern coast. Storm surges reportedly reached as high as 18 feet as buildings were flattened and houses washed away. Hundreds are feared dead. Please keep Florida in your prayers! Operation Blessing is on standby in Florida and ready to move into the hard-hit areas as soon as possible with vital disaster aid for victims in need.

HELP NOW

UPDATE 9/28/22: Hurricane Ian has strengthened! It’s still barreling toward the western coast of Florida, officially as a category 4 storm with destructive winds and giant storm surges. The powerful center of the storm will make landfall soon, just south of Tampa. However, most of the state will be impacted due to the massive size. During any hurricane we can expect flooding, downed trees loss of power, damaged homes and businesses, and worse. But a category 4 hurricane can completely decimate a city, leaving devastation that looks like a bomb struck it. Please keep them in your prayers!**

FLORIDA – An Operation Blessing disaster response team has already been deployed to Florida with emergency supplies and equipment as Hurricane Ian approaches the Gulf Coast. According to forecasts, the storm could hit the Gulf Coast of Florida with as high as a Category 4 storm surge, along with strong winds and heavy rainfall.

“It’s important to point out to folks that the path of this is still uncertain,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The impacts will be broad throughout the state of Florida.”

Staying Ahead of Hurricane Ian

We are moving out in advance of powerful Hurricane Ian. Our team will be setting up at our warehouse in Ocala, Florida, so they will be ready to respond to storm damage at a moment’s notice – wherever it is most needed along the Gulf Coast. We are already in contact with pastors and relief partners throughout the area to continue to prepare for Hurricane Ian’s landfall later this week. Survivors will need food, water, supplies, encouragement, and assistance with repairs.

As we strive to stay ahead of this destructive storm, we want to be ready for whatever might come our way. You can help! You can join us in providing much-needed assistance to disaster victims.

With the help of partners like you, we have also been on the ground in Puerto Rico, helping residents recover after the devastation that Hurricane Fiona left in its wake last week. Our team is providing disaster relief like food, solar lamps, clean water support, and encouragement that so many need during their darkest hours.

Please pray in the days ahead for our team and those in the path of Hurricane Ian that God will weaken the storm. Let’s stand together, so that no one has to face storms like Hurricane Ian alone. Give a special gift to help disaster victims now.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

Food for Hurricane Fiona Victims

food for hurricane fiona survivors in puerto rico

PUERTO RICO – In the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, masses of Puerto Rico residents are without even the most basic necessities. Beyond massive flooding of their homes, roads, businesses, churches, and schools are deeper ongoing problems. The lack of power and access to clean water and supplies is presenting hunger challenges for many Puerto Ricans. One of the biggest challenges is the need for food for Hurricane Fiona victims.

Food Insecurity Issues Following Hurricane Fiona

Compounding the food insecurity issues from Hurricane Fiona is the lack of on-hand provisions for many people on the island. Lillian Doval Estepa, director of a nonprofit help center in Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico said, “Most of the people were not prepared.”

Since the storm, she and her team have been working hard to provide food to Hurricane Fiona survivors. They have served hundreds of meals to hungry people who do not have the supplies or facilities to prepare their own.

The situation is so dire that the center workers were forced to go door to door asking for food donations before Operation Blessing arrived. This is a difficult position to be in, since even people who have food must ration it to sustain themselves as the island moves toward recovery. But your generosity changed all that!

Operation Blessing Donors Provide Food for Hurricane Survivors

The endless generosity of Operation Blessing donors has helped to provide food for Hurricane Fiona survivors. Your partnership helped provide ample food and supplies to hungry people whose lives have been decimated by Hurricane Fiona. You helped provide groceries, cleaning supplies, and other essential items to help people get back on their feet. This includes giving hurricane victims access to hot meals. Hot meals help provide comfort to people facing a long road to recovery as the island must rebound from the second massive storm in five years.

Lillian and so many other people are very grateful. She says, “It’s the best thing you can do, because when you feed a person, you give them love, and they feel it.” Thank you for sharing your love with people suffering in Puerto Rico. Even a simple hot meal can help provide solace to those facing so much devastation after the storm.

You can give a special gift to bless disaster victims today!

Hurricane Relief in Ponce, Puerto Rico

distributing disaster relief in Ponce, Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Fiona

PUERTO RICO – Operation Blessing is on the ground in Ponce, Puerto Rico helping hurting residents after Hurricane Fiona. Flood waters from the storm ravaged communities, causing extensive damage.

Since the hurricane hit, around 1 million homes have been left without power, and many lack clean water.

Pastor Giovanni Sasde of Gosèn Family Church shared his personal experience in the aftermath of the storm. ” Like what happened before with Hurricane Maria, we have been greatly impacted by this hurricane. As of now, every sector of the country is still without power. My home doesn’t have any electricity. I don’t have any water.”

Operation Blessing in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Thanks to the generous support of Operation Blessing partners, the Disaster Relief team visited several communities and churches to distribute rechargeable solar lamps and Aquatabs, including Ponce. These tablets purify water and provide residents with clean water to drink and cook with.

Pastor Giovanni said, “That is exactly what we need now in this time where there are so many people with fear and anxiety. We feel blessed that we have Operation Blessing here, because we know their heart. We know that they are urged by the Lord to come and help us.”

The Disaster Relief team is able to be on the ground helping families in Ponce, Puerto Rico, take their first steps towards recovery thanks to the generosity of Operation Blessing partners.

Pastor Giovanni said, “I know that Operation Blessing does great things, and the Lord is always with them. Thank you, and God bless every single person that made this happen.”

To make a special gift to disaster victims in need please visit ob.org/disasterrelief.

Sending a Light to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona

Light and hurricane relief supplies for Hurricane Fiona victims in Puerto Rico.

PUERTO RICO – Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico Sunday afternoon, wreaking havoc on many communities. Catastrophic flooding has ruined homes and left over 1 million people without power. The situation is dire as thousands have no access to power, clean water, or supplies.

Thanks to the support of Operation Blessing partners, the Disaster Relief Team rushed to Puerto Rico with emergency relief equipment and solar lamps to bring light to families who no longer have electricity. The road to recovery will be long following the impact of this devastating storm. Even something as simple as a solar light can bring hope, as part of the many essential relief supplies for Hurricane Fiona.

Relief Supplies For Hurricane Fiona

In the days ahead, Operation Blessing will continue on the ground in Puerto Rico helping families that are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. Currently, the team is actively working to distribute more supplies in areas of greatest need while preparing to assist with food and water. This includes distributing supplies in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

solar lights for Hurricane Fiona victims

Please Pray For Puerto Rico

Thank you for your endless prayers, partnership, and support of Puerto Rico after the destruction of Hurricane Fiona. Please continue to pray for the many residents of the island who now find themselves struggling to obtain even the most basic necessities. Your continued support helps bring hope to people who have lost so much.

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

PUERTO RICO – As monster Hurricane Fiona continues its destructive path towards Bermuda with 130 mph winds, Puerto Rico is reeling in the aftermath. With the worst behind them, these battered citizens now face the long road to recovery.

They’ll have to overcome ruined roads, flooded homes and public buildings, and ongoing power outages first, and they need your help. One local pastor’s words say it all, “We have experienced a national catastrophe.” He went on, “At the moment, I don’t have any electricity. I don’t have any water.” Friends like you can be their support in this time of need, and Operation Blessing can partner with you to show God’s love.

Help Disaster Victims Now!

Relief Distributions in Hard-Hit Areas

Already, thanks to friends like you, the Operation Blessing team is on the ground in Puerto Rico offering hurricane relief to people in devastated areas. The most important needs right now for Puerto Rico hurricane relief are the most basic—food, water, and shelter. But power is key for food and water access, and approximately one million people still lack electricity. So with your support, our team is addressing those needs first while looking for additional ways to help.

Our first two days of relief were fruitful with key distributions. In one community near Ponce that had lost power, the residents were struggling to drink or cook, and we provided them with clean water solutions and solar lamps to light up the night. For those with damaged roofs, we are also helping keep out the elements by providing heavy-duty tarps.

Critical Next Steps for Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Operation Blessing is continuing to assess damaged areas to determine where to best provide assistance, and local churches are helping us identify the areas of greatest need in their communities. Pastor Giovanni and Iglesia De La Familia in Ponce connected us with a nearby community called El Sol that is in dire need of assistance. With the help of friends like you, this church is eager to serve its neighbors and show them God’s love. The pastor shared, “We feel blessed that we have Operation Blessing coming in here, because we know their heart. We know that they are motivated to come and help us.”

Some communities we are looking to help have been severely damaged by a major hurricane for the second time in just five years, so it’s critical that they see us return with tangible aid to help facilitate hurricane relief. Our team also visited with residents in a housing project development called Villas del sol in Toa Baja organized by formerly homeless people since Hurricane Maria. Their homes were half underwater from the storm, and with your help, we hope to reach out to them as well.

Pray for Puerto Rico

Puerto Ricans are struggling, and they need help and prayer. Please continue to ask God to strengthen all those facing the difficult path to recovery and to provide for their felt needs. Thank you for being part of our Operation Blessing family. Your prayers and gifts change lives!

Help Disaster Victims Now

Press Release: Sending Hurricane Relief to Puerto Rico

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – (September 20, 2022) – The humanitarian organization Operation Blessing has deployed its U.S. Disaster Relief Team to Puerto Rico to assist residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.

Operation Blessing Deploys Disaster Relief Team For Hurricane Fiona

The Operation Blessing team departed this morning from Norfolk carrying dozens of portable solar lamps and other emergency relief equipment. When they arrive later today, the team will join with partner organizations in San Juan and Ponce, Puerto Rico to distribute the emergency supplies and determine the next steps.

After Hurricane Fiona departed, Operation Blessing’s partner organizations assessed the greatest needs facing residents. Currently, the major concerns remain the extensive power outage, roads with restricted travel in some areas due to mudslides or flooding, and a shortage of safe water.

hurricane fiona relief effort in Puerto rico

Operation Blessing Deploys Disaster Relief Team For Hurricane Maria

Operation Blessing was a first responder when Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017 and spent the following year providing relief efforts there, including extensive efforts to provide safe drinking water to families across Puerto Rico. This was done through multiple solutions including the distribution of Kohler Clarity filters, the deployment of 18 separate reverse osmosis systems that could treat 18,000 to 40,000 gallons of safe water daily, and the distribution of handheld chlorine generators and over 12,000 gallons of liquid chlorine.

Operation Blessing in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, to provide hurricane relief after Fiona

In addition to safe water efforts, Operation Blessing also worked to improve local nonprofit organizations’ abilities to provide goods and services, treated stagnant swimming pools with mosquito-eating fish to avert a disease outbreak, distributed clothing to school children, and distributed over 35,000 pounds of food to more than 10,000 people. Recently, Operation Blessing donated a box truck to a partner organization located on Vieques to aid its ongoing hunger relief initiatives.

“The availability of safe water and electricity are critical in the aftermath of any disaster,” said Operation Blessing’s International Disaster Relief coordinator Benjamin Britton, who is leading the team in Puerto Rico. “Without those, the situation could very quickly turn into a public health calamity. Operation Blessing has worked to serve the people of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, and we are honored to return today and help these wonderful people in any way we can.”

Operation Blessing deploys disaster relief team with solar lights

To donate to the relief efforts, https://www.ob.org/disaster-relief/

About Operation Blessing

Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Operation Blessing (OB) provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical care, hunger relief, and clean water. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing has touched the lives of millions of people in more than 90 countries and territories, including the US. For more information about Operation Blessing, please visit www.ob.org.

# # #

CONTACT:

Chris Roslan

Roslan & Associates Public Relations

(212) 966-4600, ext 101

Reach me anywhere at (917) 538-5629

chris@rc-pr.com

http://rc-pr.com/

Hurricane Fiona Strikes Puerto Rico

UPDATE (09/22/22) – The Disaster Relief Team is actively working in hard-hit communities around Ponce, distributing key items like solar lamps, water purification tablets, and roofing tarps while we look to offer additional help where it’s needed.

For all the latest on Hurrricane Fiona visit ob.org/tag/hurricane-fiona!

UPDATE (09/20/22) – Operation Blessing has deployed its U.S. Disaster Relief Team to Puerto Rico to assist residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. The relief team departed this morning from Norfolk, VA carrying dozens of portable solar lamps and other emergency relief equipment. Upon arrival, the team joined with partner organizations in San Juan and Ponce, Puerto Rico to distribute the emergency supplies and determine next steps.

PUERTO RICO (09/19/22) – Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico’s southwest coast on Sunday afternoon, September 18, 2022 as a Category 1 storm. Torrential rain and high-speed winds pummeled the coastal island, plunging 1.5 million Puerto Ricans into a blackout. Fiona even unleashed landslides that ripped up asphalt and sent rivers of water to envelop cars and first floors.

Associated Press reports that hundreds of people were evacuated or rescued across the island as floodwaters rose swiftly. Dangerous flash floods continue to devastate the area, and the crisis situation is still unfolding. Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi states, “The damages that we are seeing are catastrophic.”

Hurricane Fiona hit just two days before the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria that struck on Sep. 20, 2017. Many people were traumatized by that disaster, and having another catastrophic event so soon is more than they can bear. They will need our help and our prayers.

As the hurricane continues on, we are actively assessing the situation to serve disaster victims in need! Operation Blessing President Gordon Robertson assures us, “Operation Blessing was there after Hurricane Maria, and we are prepping our disaster relief right now to evaluate the storm damage and what we can do about it.”

You can give a special gift to help disaster victims now.

Teams are monitoring Hurricane Fiona as it continues its destructive path.

Teams Assess Hurricane Fiona Damage and Begin Distributing Relief Supplies

Right now, we are assessing the damage in hard-hit Puerto Rico to determine next steps as our teams begin distributing disaster relief supplies like solar lights. Those in greatest need will soon receive water filters, disaster kits, and more as we target specific hard-hit locations. We’re also exploring the best ways to provide essentials like clean water and food.

Please pray for the families who are facing these terrible circumstances. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and give them hope for tomorrow. Thank you for being part of our Operation Blessing family.

Help Disaster Victims Now

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