As Hurricane Ian arrived as a Category 4 storm, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams, including Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR), were prepared to respond.
Sam Porter does an interview with KFOR Channel 4 in Oklahoma City.
With 150 mph winds, Ian is one of the strongest storms to hit the mainland United States. SBDR and Send Relief, the compassion ministry arm for Southern Baptists, anticipate a major crisis response.
Already, SBDR volunteer teams from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and North Carolina are on standby to serve in Louisiana. Some teams began driving and sheltered just outside of the storm’s path so they could respond more rapidly.
Sam Porter, interim state director of Oklahoma Baptist DR, said “Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is on standby to help amid Hurricane Ian. Please pray for all those being impacted by this devastating Hurricane.”
So far, SBDR expects to set up multiple kitchens across the affected areas, each with the capacity to prepare at least 10,000 meals a day. As assessments continue, those locations are still being determined. Those needs are expected to ramp up as those who have evacuated return to assess the damage done to their homes and property as widespread power outages persist.
Send Relief delivered initial supplies—temporary rolled roofing, meals and other supplies—on Friday, Aug. 27, ahead of the storm.
Those looking to support Baptist relief efforts can find more information or donate at okdisasterhelp.org.
