Relief workers aiding cleanup with Lady Lake Church of God.
President Bush declared Lake, Sumter, Volusia and Seminole counties a disaster area. That gives storm victims the opportunity to apply for federal aid and move into temporary housing. Called the state's deadliest storm in at least a decade, statewide damage estimates have already topped $100 million and could rise further.
All told, over two thousand homes were severely damaged or destroyed by the storm, which spawned at least three tornadoes. Thousands are without shelter or food.
Operation Blessing International responded immediately, sending emergency aid and teams from their Ocala warehouse in Florida. The relief crew met Sunday with the Florida director from Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to mount the critical clean-up effort in the hardest hit areas.
OBI also dispatched a mobile kitchen, sleeping cots, a crane, and a disaster relief work trailer full of chain saws and other equipment. In cooperation with Lady Lakes Church of God, FEMA, Compassion Tampa and Intensive Care Ministries, the teams are working in full support of the relief effort, setting up relief distribution sites and base camps for volunteers.
Damage assessment continues, and OBI is asking for prayer
support for the teams as they meet the needs as the hands and feet of Christ. Click here if you'd like to help their tornado relief efforts.
