Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse races to help tornado victims as death toll rises to 21

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Samaritan’s Purse sent relief crews to tornado zones as death toll hit 21

Deadly tornadoes tore through Kentucky and Missouri Friday night, leaving broken homes and shattered lives in their wake.

At least 21 people lost their lives when the powerful storm system carved its destructive path through America’s heartland.

Franklin Graham’s disaster relief teams quickly mobilized, rushing to help families who lost everything.

Twisters left communities reeling

The Friday night storms hit hardest in Laurel County, Kentucky, and St. Louis, Missouri, where entire neighborhoods now look like war zones.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer told reporters nearly 5,000 homes may have been damaged or destroyed in her city alone. Rescue workers continued sifting through rubble in some areas, looking for survivors.

Less than a day after the twisters struck, Samaritan’s Purse had boots on the ground. The Christian relief group didn’t waste any time getting disaster specialists into the hardest-hit towns.

Graham, who leads the North Carolina-based ministry, spoke from the heart about the tragedy.

“Yesterday, many families across America woke up to a trail of death and destruction after Friday night’s severe tornado outbreak,” he said. “I know these will be difficult days for many and my heart breaks for those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Please join me in praying for them and for our Samaritan’s Purse teams who are responding in Jesus’ Name.”

Big rigs rolled with emergency gear

Two massive Samaritan’s Purse tractor-trailers – loaded with chainsaws, tarps, tools and generators – headed to the disaster zones, arriving Sunday evening.

The trucks, called Disaster Relief Units, became command posts for the volunteer army that started work Monday morning. For folks who lost almost everything, seeing these big orange and blue trucks roll into town brought the first real sense of hope.

Samaritan’s Purse knows these roads well. This marks their 15th deployment to Kentucky and 11th to Missouri following disasters.

Volunteers tackled the toughest jobs facing homeowners – covering damaged roofs with tarps, cutting up fallen trees, and helping folks salvage family photos and keepsakes from damaged homes. For stunned tornado survivors who lost everything, having strangers show up with chainsaws and willing hands felt like a miracle.

Weather experts warned more severe storms could hit the region in coming days. The ministry said they were watching these forecasts closely and would adjust their operations if needed.

Graham’s outfit brought decades of disaster know-how

When storms, floods or fires strike, Samaritan’s Purse has earned a reputation for showing up fast and staying until the job’s done.

Based in Boone, North Carolina, the ministry has responded to catastrophes across America and in more than 100 countries worldwide. Their orange shirts and Christian witness have become familiar sights at disaster scenes from Hurricane Katrina to the 2021 Kentucky tornado outbreak that killed more than 80 people.

The ministry keeps disaster response units ready year-round, allowing them to roll within hours of a catastrophe. Their approach mixes practical help with spiritual support – not just rebuilding homes but restoring hope.

While their tornado response teams geared up, Samaritan’s Purse continued its better-known programs like Operation Christmas Child, which sends millions of gift-packed shoeboxes to children in poor countries every year.

Folks wanting to support the tornado relief effort can donate or volunteer through the Samaritan’s Purse website. Even people who can’t travel to Kentucky or Missouri can help fund the chainsaws, generators and building materials needed for the recovery.

America’s midsection took another weather beating

The weekend’s deadly twisters reminded us how vulnerable the central states are to nature’s fury. The region called “Tornado Alley” has suffered some of history’s worst tornado disasters, and this latest outbreak showed the danger hasn’t diminished.

Back in December 2021, a nightmarish series of twisters ripped through Kentucky and nearby states, flattening entire towns and killing over 80 people. Samaritan’s Purse responded then too, eventually helping thousands of families pick up the pieces.

Some weather experts believe we might see more powerful storms in coming years as weather patterns change. That makes organizations like Samaritan’s Purse even more critical as first responders when disaster strikes.

The cleanup from Friday’s tornadoes is just beginning. While officials tally the damage and count the cost, devastated families face the overwhelming task of starting over. Many lost not just their homes but everything inside them – family photos, heirlooms, and the everyday items that make a house a home.

Graham asked Christians across America to pray for both victims and volunteers in these hard-hit areas. In the midst of such tragedy, the practical help from Samaritan’s Purse volunteers, combined with prayer and spiritual support, offers a lifeline to people who’ve lost nearly everything.