Chaplains Continuing to Minister in California and Oregon in Response to Natural and Man-Made Tragedies

Contact: Erik Ogren, 704-401-2117, eogren@bgea.org 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have deployed to Columbia, S.C., one of many areas across the Palmetto State that have been blanketed by once-a-millennium floodwaters.

At this time it is reported that 17 people have died in the state due to drowning or traffic accidents tied to the storm, several dams have failed, many roads have been closed, and hundreds are being housed in shelters as evacuations continue. It is estimated that the total damage will be in excess of $1 Billion.

"Like so many others, I've watched the disaster unfolding on news reports, and it's unbelievable to see the widespread level of this catastrophe; cars floating down the streets and people being pulled to safety from the rushing water," said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. "Pray for the thousands upon thousands of people across the state who are hurting and broken, and the many who have lost everything they owned."

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has responded in coordination with Samaritan's Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Together, the two groups will seek to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of homeowners and storm survivors.

Flooded regions around the state are being monitored and assessed for potential responses.

In addition to the flooding in South Carolina, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also currently assisting homeowners in California who have been impacted by the Butte and Valley wildfires, and are at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., site of last week's mass-shooting tragedy.

For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt. Updates can also be found at www.facebook.com/RRTChaplains.

About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into a nationwide network of chaplains in 48 states who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 200 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.