BGEA Rapid Response Team Deploys to Fredericktown, MO

May 18, 2009 - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team (RRT) chaplains and Samaritan's Purse are deployed to Fredericktown, MO , in response to what the National Weather Service has called a "Derecho," a rare weather phenomenon.

On Friday, May 9, rain and high winds close to hurricane strength, accompanied by small tornadoes, came suddenly into Madison County, MO around noon and lasted nearly an hour. Thousands of trees were uprooted, windows in parked cars were blown out, and many roofs on businesses and homes were damaged by winds or falling trees. About 30 homes were completely destroyed.

Americore, a U.S. Federal Volunteer Service Program to America, has been in Fredericktown assessing the damage, and taking requests for roof tarps and other assistance for tree and debris removal from homeowners. The requests are then shared with volunteer disaster relief agencies such as Samaritan's Purse.

Some of the Americore staff was assisting in the clean up effort at many homes. When the RRT chaplains learned about Americore's presence in the area, they decided to pay the team a visit and encourage them.

Americore's volunteers accepted the chaplains' offer to lift the group up in prayer. The chaplains prayed and thanked God for the volunteer's hard work, and prayed that He would give the team the strength to finish their work in Fredericktown.