Thousands Deployed to Jeanne-Battered Florida

''Once again, we're facing a hurricane/tropical storm that's just wreaking havoc wherever it goes''

Christian, governmental and humanitarian relief groups began heading back toward Florida as Hurricane Jeanne tore a new path of destruction, flooding and death, Sept 27, 2004. According to reports from most national relief agencies, this season’s Hurricane recovery effort is expected to be the largest in scale in both manpower and money.

"Once again, we're facing a hurricane/tropical storm that's just wreaking havoc wherever it goes," said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) director Michael Brown. "We have some people in Florida who have been hit two or three times now by these hurricanes. They have to be miserable right now."

According to Brown, 5,000-plus relief workers in 15 states have been dispatched, making this year’s hurricane effort larger than any response in FEMA’s history.

The Salvation Army spent over $10 million for the short term and long term recovery efforts to the first three hurricanes alone. The London-based Christian relief group, which mobilized over 2,5000 volunteers over the past weeks, said some $40 million will be necessary to fully assist the victims.

Hurricane Jeanne marks the fourth hurricane to have pummeled through the peninsular state in the past two months. Tragically, Jeanne landed on the same area that was hit three weeks ago by Hurricane Frances, wreaking more havoc on the thousands residents and businesses that were barely beginning to recover.

According to Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, Jeanne left few buildings in his county unscarred because Frances had weakened them and subsequent rain connected to Hurricane Ivan had saturated the ground.

"Everything has been compromised to some extent," Smith said on Monday. "We have lost a lot more structures this time."

At Monday morning’s count, some 6 people had lost their lives through the storm and some 2.3 million homes and businesses were without power.

More than 3,000 National Guard troop were deployed to aid relief efforts by Monday, and the thousands of Christian-based volunteers – from the Salvation army, Southern Baptist Convention and other denominations – have also been deployed.

The Rev. Kristin Sachen, program head of emergency services for UMCOR – the United Methodist Church’s relief arm, said more volunteers and more donations are desperately needed.

"The offering plate needs to go around many times" in a season of multiple storms, Sachen said, "in order to ensure that we can offer hope and healing to all who count on UMCOR."

To give to UMCOR, please visit: www.MethodistRelief.org. Donations can also be made to the Southern Baptist Convention at www.namb.org/dr and to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyflorida.org.

    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.