Operation Blessing trucks like these are stocked with relief supplies for distrubution to relief partners and hurricane victims.

Cheryl of Milton, Florida, was grateful for the Wal-Mart gift certificate she received from OBI.

U.S. Gulf Coast - Hurricane Dennis roared ashore Sunday (July 10) as a formidable Category 3 storm, making landfall less than 50 miles east of where Hurricane Ivan carved a path of destruction in 2004.

Dennis drenched coastal communities in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi with up to 8 inches of driving rainfall and lashed the region with winds reaching 120 mph.

The storm has been blamed for five deaths in Florida and Georgia and severe flooding in communities throughout the region. Power is gradually being restored to area residents but thousands remain sweltering in the intense summer heat.

Operation Blessing was among the first to respond when Hurricane Dennis struck. Trucks loaded with food, hygiene and cleaning supplies were pre-positioned at OBI’s distribution warehouse in Ocala, Florida, allowing immediate dispatch to affected areas along the Gulf Coast.

OBI teams distributed food and relief supplies to more than 2,000 hurricane victims in Pace, Florida, bringing much-needed items to storm-weary residents.

Tidal surges of up to 6 feet swamped four Florida towns, including the fishing village of St. Marks, where most residents suffered total losses. Together with partners at Taking It To the Streets Ministries, OBI helped provide food, water, charcoal and additional relief supplies to storm and flood victims.

Operation Blessing teams are on the ground in impacted areas of Florida and Alabama, assessing damage and meeting with local ministry partners.

In order to provide immediate assistance to hardest-hit families, OBI assessment team leaders are carrying $100 Wal-Mart gift certificates for on-the-spot distribution, with an additional $10,000 in gift certificates supplied to local relief partners for dispersement.

Working with the Salvation Army, another strategic relief partner, Operation Blessing is providing water, meals and other emergency supplies to those affected by Dennis. During 2004 hurricane response efforts, Operation Blessing helped supply the Salvation Army´s portable kitchens in Florida with enough food to prepare and serve 27,000 meals per day.

International relief efforts in Haiti and Cuba are underway as well, where Dennis claimed 32 lives and inflicted widespread damage and flooding. Teaming with World Concern in Haiti and Catholic Charities in Cuba, OBI and its partner agencies are at work bringing emergency relief to struggling hurricane victims.

Cuba was hardest hit by Dennis, leveling 15,000 homes and damaging 84,000 residences. More than 2 million people are without electricity, and Operation Blessing has provided $25,000 to buy rice, beans, powdered milk and canned food to meet the most urgent needs of disaster victims.

Hurricane Dennis was the earliest Category 4 hurricane ever recorded in the Caribbean basin.

As the 2005 storm season continues to intensify, Hurricane Emily blew off roofs and caused severe water damage on the island of Grenada, after becoming a Category 4 storm as it moved through the eastern Caribbean Sea. Hurricane watches are now in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Packing winds near 135 miles per hour, Emily's projected path places landfall on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula next week.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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