Historic flooding in West Virginia last week has already claimed the lives of 23 people. Torrential downpours on Thursday destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands more without power. Officials declared a state of emergency for 44 counties in the Mountain State after as much as 8-10 inches of rain fell in six to eight hours.
The pictures emerging on social media are stunning.
#WestVirginia senator on deadly flooding: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ | #FOXNewsUS https://t.co/Shtw7zjrsj pic.twitter.com/96u84KZfBT
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 26, 2016
Utter destruction.
#WestVirginia flooding: Residents can return to homes, if they're still therehttps://t.co/7aOSM3AqaL pic.twitter.com/j8bfewvxbs
— Pittsburgh Today (@TodayPittsburgh) June 26, 2016
A toddler is among the 23 killed.
#WestVirginia Floods: 23 Killed, Including Toddler https://t.co/O7Cgz8KNz5 pic.twitter.com/B0QeT6JpfK
— TrendingContent (@trendincontent) June 25, 2016
While search-and-rescue missions remain a top priority, a number of groups have mobilized to provide comfort and care to the devastated communities. Here are a few such organizations that are providing aid in West Virginia—and some ways you can join them in their relief efforts:
- Mercy Chefs deployed to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where they have been serving more than 2,500 meals per day to those in need. You can join their efforts to bring relief to flood victims by donating here—a gift of $100 feeds 40 people, $50 feeds 20, and $25 feds 10.
- Union Mission in Charleston, West Virginia is partnering with local churches and grocery stores to collect drinking water, bleach, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food items. Those outside of West Virginia can join in Union Mission’s efforts by donating here—and continuing to pray for those impacted by the floods.
Pray for West Virginia! See how you can help #wvflood victims here: https://t.co/dwGhezGnQd
— Samaritan's Purse (@SamaritansPurse) June 27, 2016
- Samaritan’s Purse has been in the air, using helicopters to help emergency teams assess neighborhoods, and on the ground bringing aid to people who have lost so much. Samaritan’s Purse volunteers will be helping people mud out their houses, recover belongings, and rebuild homes. You can support their short- and long-term efforts in Sulphur Springs by donating here.
BGEA chaplains are ministering in West Virginia after deadly flooding. Please be in prayer for all affected https://t.co/VhRdNbUsXM
— BGEA (@BGEA) June 25, 2016
- Seven crisis-trained chaplains from the Rapid Response Team of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association have been sent to White Sulphur Springs to offer spiritual and emotional care to those affected by the flooding.
- Next weekend (July 2-3) member churches of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston will be collecting a second offering during all liturgies to specifically support flood relief efforts. For those not in the area, donations can be made to the Catholic Charities West Virginia Disaster Recovery Services fund here.
Pray with us for those affected in West Virginia and the @SBDRnet leaders and volunteers actively serving. https://t.co/Xw5X0VcO5T
— NAMB (@NAMB_SBC) June 26, 2016
- Volunteers from the North American Mission Board’s Southern Baptist Disaster Relief were mobilized before the rains even stopped to comfort and aid flood survivors in West Virginia. NAMB has also deployed a semi-truck containing bottled water, disinfectant, and flood buckets filled with the basics for immediate recovery. Multiple SBDR mobile kitchens are also being set up for five-day deployments in the affected areas. You can donate here to support NAMB’s relief efforts in West Virginia.
If you live nearby or within driving distance, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department provided a drop off location and current needs.
After reports of looting surfaced, they issued a stern warning.
More rain is expected this week, leaving residents bracing for impact.