Samaritan's Purse is responding after a cross-country storm system spawned twisters in Tennessee on Saturday.
Tornadoes swept across Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 9, causing extensive property damage, dozens of injuries, and at least six deaths.
The most devastated areas are in Montgomery County, around Clarksville, and in Davidson County, around Hendersonville, Madison, and Gallatin. The National Weather Service rated the Clarksville storm as an EF3 tornado, with around 700 homes damaged or destroyed.
“Communities in Tennessee suffered deadly storms that have caused devastation, and tragically, the loss of at least six people,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “My heart breaks for those who are now walking into this Christmas season without their loved ones and for the families who must now rebuild their lives. I ask that you please join me in praying for them.”
Samaritan’s Purse sent disaster relief specialists to the Volunteer State on Sunday to begin assessing damage. Two Disaster Relief Units—tractor-trailers stocked with tools and equipment—arrived on Monday to Clarksville and to the North Nashville area. Our network of volunteers will be sawing downed trees, tarping roofs, and cleaning up property for homeowners while bringing comfort in Jesus’ Name. Teams can begin work on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Additional details for this deployment are available at spvolunteer.org.
Our host church in Clarksville is First Baptist at 499 Commerce St., and our host church in North Nashville is Faith Baptist at 1602 Gallatin Pike North in Madison.
My heart breaks for those who are now walking into this Christmas season without their loved ones and for the families who must now rebuild their lives.—Franklin Graham
Clarksville is around a dozen miles from Fort Campbell. Many military families live in the area, and we also will be deploying Team Patriot there. Team Patriot is made up of alumni from the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal Our Patriots project, which is designed to strengthen the marriages of U.S. veterans wounded in combat operations following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Pray for those who have lost loved ones and all those who are struggling to recover in the wake of these terrible storms. Pray for our teams as they share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and serve as His hands and feet.