In early October, Hurricane Matthew – once a Category 5 storm – made landfall in South Carolina, bringing devastating flooding, toppled trees, and extensive property damage up and down the East Coast. With an eye on the looming impact, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains pre-positioned staff and resources in key areas. “Hurricane Matthew struck with ferocious power, and we still don’t know the full extent to which it has damaged areas of impact,” Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, said at the time. “Our team is prepared to offer hope and comfort to the people affected by this storm in the midst of their pain.”

As the storm cleared, the ministry was ready to respond as soon as the roads opened and assessments revealed the worst-hit areas. Ultimately, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team – along with disaster relief ministry Samaritan’s Purse – deployed to three areas; two in South Carolina (the Low Country region and Horry County) and one in eastern North Carolina(Edgecombe County).

Franklin Graham called for prayer on his Facebook page, “Hurricane Matthew has wreaked havoc along its deadly path. A number have died, and tens of thousands of people have no electricity even on the coast here in my home state of NC. … Join me in praying not only for those here in the U.S. who are hurting, but also for our neighbors in Haiti.”

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team also continues to minister in Louisiana in the wake of severe flooding that struck that state in August.

For more information about the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including current deployments and how to get involved, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt.