Hurricane Ivan roars ashore in Florida on Sept. 15, 2004. Image Courtesy of NOAA

Hurricane victims in Florida faced a long road to recovery, like this family in Arcadia.

United States - With experts predicting another active hurricane season, many Americans in coastal communities are gearing up for a weather battering much like last year.

Predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorologists included an “above-normal hurricane season” with 12 to 15 tropical storms, and up to nine potentially becoming hurricanes.

Yet, even as uncertainty clouds the months ahead, Operation Blessing continues supporting ongoing hurricane recovery efforts everyday, while preparing strategically for what may lie ahead.

The tumultuous 2004 season forged lasting response partnerships between OBI and local and national-level organizations and church groups.

After both Hurricanes Charley and Frances, OBI Hunger Strike Force trucks supplied Salvation Army cooking stations in Florida with enough food to feed 27,000 storm victims a day.

For months following the four hurricanes, Operation Blessing teams delivered emergency items throughout the affected areas, including food, blankets, cots, cooking supplies, tarps, and plywood. OBI now has a distribution warehouse permanently in place in Ocala, Florida, allowing for immediate response if another hurricane hit the region.

Operation Blessing’s multi-faceted recovery efforts also included awarding more than $2.9 million in grants to relief groups and local churches. More than 120 new partners received grants, many located in rural areas, out of reach of large relief programs and resources.

Partner involvement and collaboration persists even now, as disaster response preparations are made for 2005.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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