In a series of devastating hurricanes, Louisiana was first hit by Hurricane Francine, followed by Hurricane Helene, which traversed five states and became one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. On October 10, the powerful Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, causing widespread power outages affecting around 300,000 households and forcing nearly 2 million residents to evacuate.
In response to this catastrophe, Christian nonprofits have stepped up their efforts to provide assistance. Texans on Mission (TXM) has been particularly active, deploying chainsaw and flood recovery crews in Louisiana and establishing mass feeding and recovery teams in Tennessee. Additionally, they have sent chainsaw units to North Carolina.
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton, TXM is preparing to deliver vital equipment, including an industrial-sized generator and flood recovery tools, to Florida. Disaster relief leadership is also expected to follow closely behind.
Founded in the 1960s, Texans on Mission, previously known as Texas Baptist Men, was among the first Christian disaster relief organizations in the United States. Over the years, it has partnered with various disaster relief networks, enabling large-scale responses to such crises.
Following Hurricane Helene's impact, which saw significant damage across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina, TXM mobilized its resources. Their teams, dispatched on September 30, provided critical support after the Category 4 storm resulted in at least 230 deaths and left millions without electricity.
As days pass, many individuals remain without power, and some communities are facing serious disruptions to their water supply.
Currently, TXM's disaster relief teams are active in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Spindale, North Carolina, addressing the diverse needs of the affected areas. In Tennessee, the state feeding unit is tasked with preparing over 2,000 meals each day, while flood recovery volunteers are working tirelessly to clear out water-damaged homes.
In North Carolina, TXM's chainsaw teams are focused on clearing fallen trees and debris caused by the storm's fierce winds.
As widespread damage from hurricanes continues to escalate this year, the nation's volunteer disaster relief infrastructure is anticipated to expand in response to the increasing need for aid and support. Nearly all Southern Baptist disaster relief groups are involved, establishing numerous relief sites across the impacted regions.
Additionally, a new nationwide network of Christians, known as the On Mission Network, is actively coordinating and resourcing relief efforts in various locations, exemplifying the collaborative spirit of humanitarian response in the face of disaster.
