Disaster Relief moves into place as Isaias landfall approaches

NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist Disaster Relief personnel, alongside Send Relief, are making preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Isaias later today (Oct. 9) and tomorrow.

As of 1 p.m. Central Friday, Isaias remained a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph sustained winds, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength this evening when it makes landfall along the Alabama/Florida coast, bringing a 6- to 9-foot storm surge as far east as Grayton Beach and rain amounts reaching 8 inches. A few isolated tornadoes are also possible across southeast Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Disaster Relief leaders in the region have made preparations for most of the week. An initial coordination call with Send Relief and national DR leaders took place on Oct. 7, with another one today. Priority is being given to feeding units, according to a statement from Send Relief, with an eye toward smaller, rural communities.

“We are in preparation … and have connected with our partners … in preparation for possible mass feeding operations,” David Coggins, state DR leader for Florida, told Baptist Press. “Our state leadership task force has been contacting all of our regional leaders and our volunteers and getting prepared for response.”

“On Wednesday, it was looking a lot like Sally, so we were getting ready in accordance to that,” said Alabama DR director Mark Wakefield of the 2020 slow-moving hurricane that dumped 7-15 inches of rain across the southern part of the state. “Our kitchen folks have been getting ready to have up to four feeding sites. We’ve been in contact with associations and have generators ready.”

Disaster Relief teams for Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee are on alert, with Alabama and Florida units prepping equipment and serving in the initial response. Mississippi and Louisiana teams will be in support roles for Alabama, with Georgia and South Carolina teams doing so for Florida.

Southern Baptists are encouraged to pray for those in the storm’s path and local churches and volunteers preparing to minister to those affected. At this time, Disaster Relief teams are not requesting donated goods. Monetary gifts may be sent to Send Relief.

Isaias is the latest first hurricane to appear in the season in 121 years, with its Oct. 7 formation from a tropical storm missing the record of Oct. 8, 1905, by one day.

“The most important thing we are doing is praying,” said Coggins. “We are praying for people in the path of the storm. We are praying for our churches and pastors to be ready to minister to the needs in their communities.”

In a video shared Friday afternoon, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell and International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood urge prayer for: