After Category 4 Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across multiple states, residents, even in remote areas, are receiving help. The outpouring of kindness is “inspiring,” said Dr. Phil McGraw, while the ruin is still astonishing.
“While the devastation in these areas affected by the hurricane is absolutely heartbreaking,” explained McGraw, “the unity I am seeing amongst these Americans through help being offered and help being taken is so inspiring.”
Dr. Phil Provides Updates on Hurricane Relief Efforts and Works of Samaritan’s Purse and Elon Musk
On Thursday, Sept. 26, Helene hit the coast of Florida. Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm the very next day—but the storm continued its rampage.
The number of power outages peaked at 4.5 million people without electricity, according to USA Today. Thankfully, that number continues to improve, but hundreds of thousands are still waiting for power to be restored.
While hurricanes are to be expected for coastal communities, Helene’s strength and devastation were felt inland—in communities rarely prepared for nor affected by hurricanes.
The widespread devastation has been overwhelming for relief organizations and local communities. The number of people affected, the wide range of basic needs that aren’t being met, and the great geographic space have presented such obstacles for those who want to help.
From Boone, North Carolina, where Samaritan’s Purse is headquartered, McGraw gave an update on the hurricane relief efforts. He said he is connected with “hundreds of people” who have been directly affected by the storm and are working to help others in need. McGraw reported that he has participated with relief teams from Samaritan’s Purse and Starlink to deliver “generators, food, water, supplies.”
“We’re so thankful for an army of volunteers who have shown up to help as we respond to Hurricane Helene—and when I say an army—this is God’s army,” posted Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham.
Some of those he spoke with live in extremely remote areas “completely cut off from civilization,” said McGraw. “You can’t get there by rail, road—the only way you can get there is by helicopter.”
“These people have lost everything. Some have lost their homes,” he continued. “They have no power—they’re not going to have any for four to six months.”
McGraw “didn’t hear one person talk about being a victim. Didn’t hear one person talk about whether the people they were helping as neighbors or being helped by neighbors [who] were Democrats or Republicans. Didn’t care about pronouns. Didn’t care about politics.”
“All they cared about was that they were all Americans,” explained McGraw. “Their neighbors needed help, and they were giving it. They needed help and they were accepting it.”
While the devastation in these areas affected by the hurricane is absolutely heartbreaking, the unity I am seeing amongst these Americans through help being offered and help being taken is so inspiring. More coverage to come.#NorthCarolina pic.twitter.com/DgMCf5Tvou
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) October 6, 2024
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://churchleaders.com/news/498417-dr-phil-credits-samaritans-purse-and-elon-musk-with-hurricane-relief-efforts.html&media=https://churchleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dr.-Phil-Samaritans-Purse-Hurricane-Relief.png&description=After Category 4 Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across multiple states, residents, even in remote areas, are beginning to receive help. The outpouring of kindness is "inspiring," said Dr. Phil McGraw, while the ruin is still astonishing.){kind=link}