Jeanne to Slam Florida Coast; Three Million Evacuated

At least three million Floridians, including thousands of Christian and humanitarian relief volunteers, were placed under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders by Friday

At least three million Floridians, including thousands of Christian and humanitarian relief volunteers, were placed under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders by Friday, Sept 24, 2004. The massive evacuation notice was sent out only 18 hours before the unanticipated occasion: Hurricane Jeanne, the deadly storm that drowned over 1,500 Haitians, will be slamming Florida by late Saturday.

If weather forecasts are correct, Jeanne will be the fourth hurricane to wreak havoc on the state this season; the last time such an event happened was in Texas, more than a century ago.

Beginning with Charley, the Category 5 storm that hit Florida’s southwest and central regions, the state suffered over $15 billion in damages and over 70 deaths. Frances which hit 3 weeks later, severely damaged the state’s midsection; Ivan, which hit only one week after Frances, landed on Florida's Panhandle.

Florida governor Jeb Bush warned residents that Jeanne could be stronger than Frances and Ivan.

"I can't imagine someone not taking this seriously after the last six weeks," Bush said.

Jack Beven, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami agreed, saying that the Category 3 storm could strengthen into a Category 4 storm with winds of at least 131 mph by the time it makes landfall.

Volunteers, thousands of whom came from out-of-state to help cook warm meals, spent their final days clearing the debris from the streets.

To date, volunteers from the Southern Baptist Convention alone prepared 420,596 meals and completed 1,621 recovery jobs for the Hurricane Ivan relief. In total, the SBC served more than one million meals and provided more than 17,600 showers over the hurricane season.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Fund, make checks payable to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and mail to: NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. To donate online, please visit www.namb.net/dr

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.