In the wake of the devastating tornado that struck Perryton, Texas last Thursday, numerous relief agencies have made their way there to help with relief and recovery efforts. The deadly tornado ripped through an 8-mile path, tragically killing three people and leaving 100 people injured. According to the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal, organizations are on the ground distributing essential items, cleaning up, and meeting the needs of residents who have found themselves without power, homes, and food among other necessities.
Among those building a team of relief and recovery workers is the humanitarian aid organization Samaritan’s Purse. On Saturday, the organization, led by Franklin Graham, announced that they have already deployed a team and are asking for more volunteers to help them tarp roofs and cut up downed trees. On their website, Samaritan’s Purse is also asking for prayers, writing, “please pray for the residents of Perryton as they face the rubble and work to rebuild. Ask God to strengthen them as well as our staff and volunteers.”
Other organizations that rushed to help Perryton include Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, Inc. which is accepting monetary donations to provide food, hygiene items, clothing and cleaning supplies to the survivors; T-Mobile, which is providing free WiFi, device charging stations, pre-lit devices, chargers and charging supplies; the Coffee Memorial Blood Center which is seeking blood donations to ensure they have enough of a supply for patients; and United Supermarkets is serving free food and water to first responders and victims.
Victims of the tornado have found themselves in challenging circumstances in which loved ones were lost or hurt, homes were flattened, and basic essentials have become scarce. With the help of humanitarian aid organizations, and the kindness and compassion of those who have made donations, the residents of Perryton will be able to recover and rebuild in time. Many have extended prayers for the victims of the tornado and the relief workers that they will have strength and find hope as they rebuild their homes.