Hurricane Helene is seen in a NOAA satellite image captured at approximately 6 a.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (NOAA)
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been placed on alert for possible response to Hurricane Helene.
As of 2 p.m. EST on Sept. 26, Helene is currently a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds of 110 mph. It is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend this evening as at least a Category 3 hurricane, bringing the risk of devastating damage, according to an NBC News report. Some news outlets have reported that it could reach Category 4 status.
The storm is predicted to move through the Southeast before moving into Tennessee as a mainly rain-and-wind event with expected heavy rains from the Cumberland Plateau through East Tennessee, said Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Jones encourages Tennessee Baptists to stay safe as the storm moves through Tennessee.
He also asked Tennessee Baptist DR leaders to assess any damages in their areas and to be ready to respond if needed locally or to be sent to assist storm victims in another state.
“Pray for those in the path of the storm and for those who will be responding to Hurricane Helene,” Jones said.
“Pray also for God to be glorified through this event,” he added.
Team leaders should email Jones (wjones@tnbaptist.org) or Elizabeth Holmes (eholmes@tnbaptist.org) as soon as possible to let the know if their teams can serve.
Jones said teams that have committed to respond will be sent details affected state directors are able to assess the needs and request teams. Teams are also encouraged to bring a chaplain, he added.
Donations to Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief can be made online at tndisasterrelief.org/contributions. Click the “Hurricane Fund” option.
