USA (MNN) — Eight people are now dead and two million are without power as Hurricane Irene churns up the coast of the eastern United States.
More than 60 million Americans are in the path of the storm.
According to reports, the deaths reported so far included victims of car accidents and falling
tree limbs. One fatality was heart-related. The man died boarding up his house
in North Carolina. High winds, tornados, falling trees, and other weather-related issues have caused many injuries in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told 6,500 troops from all branches
of the military to get ready to help with relief work, and President
Barack Obama visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency's
command center in Washington and offered moral support.
"It's going to be a long 72 hours," he said, "and obviously a lot of families are going to be affected."
Mission Network News is monitoring the situation and will be covering the impact and the response of evangelical Christians. Many groups are waiting for the storm to blow through before they make commitments to help.
We'll be connecting with the Salvation Army, EFCA emergency response, and friends in our network up and down the coast to provide you unique coverage of the storm.
According to reports, New York became a city without one of its trademarks — the nation’s largest subway system. Why? The city shut it down Saturday as Hurricane Irene headed toward the city. The impact of the wind and storm surge is uncertain.
Samaritan's Purse teams are on their way to eastern Carolina to help with the relief efforts, while sharing the Gospel at the same time. “Samaritan's Purse responds to disasters all over the world, and we are just as ready to help our neighbors here at home,” Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham said. “We want to come alongside storm victims, help them recover, and remind them that they are not alone.”
Check back with MNNonline.org regularly as we provide coverage throughout the weekend and as damage assessments begin.
