USA (MNN)–Florida is reeling from Hurricane Wilma’s rampage. While not as damaging as it could have been, Wilma was the eighth hurricane to hit the state in 15 months.
It has been an unusually busy storm year. This season’s outbreak may have been fuelled by warmer sea temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean.
Whatever the reason, it resulted in 22 tropical storms or hurricanes, besting 1933 storm season. This last one left three million without power, and searching for temporary shelter and food.
International Aid’s Dean Agee says they’re waiting on word from their partner on the ground, the Florida Baptist Convention. “They’ve got four assessment teams in the field, and then, we’ll work with our resources to meet those needs.”
Already in motion with aid to Katrina and Rita victims, Agee says they have the ball rolling. “We do have hygiene kits for evacuees that we had pre-assembled for Katrina. We ended up not using all of those and so those we can shift over to the victims in Florida.”
Agee says it has been an extraordinarily difficult year for disasters. Tsunami response topped by earthquake, famine and hurricane emergencies have stretched their resources to the limit.
Yet, he says, it has been equally extraordinary for ministry opportunity. ” We just greatly appreciate the support that folks have given us. We couldn’t do it without their prayers and their financial contributions. It’s overwhelming, given everything else we have going, but Christ asks us to bring what we have, and He’ll multiply it for us.”
If you’d like to help, contact International Aid.
