Franklin Graham Commends Governor’s Leadership in Wake of Hurricane Matthew
Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham presented the Good Samaritan award to Gov. Pat McCrory today at Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in Boone, honoring the governor’s efforts to help North Carolina recover from Hurricane Matthew.
“We wouldn’t be able to do a lot of what we do if it wasn’t for the help of various state agencies and, especially, the help of the governor,” Graham said. “Having the governor here today gives us a chance to recognize not only his leadership but to thank him for what he has done for the people that have suffered—and are still suffering—in eastern North Carolina.”
Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham presents the Good Samaritan award to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory for his efforts following Hurricane Matthew.
After receiving the award, Gov. McCrory gave a short speech in which he told several stories of people affected by the flooding.
“I’m extremely honored to receive this recognition, but I’m not here to accept this award,” he said. “I’m here to help communicate the needs of over 40 counties and thousands of individuals who are impacted by the worst natural disaster North Carolina has seen in our lifetime. We’ve seen incredible resilience, we’ve seen heroism, we’ve seen courage, and we’ve seen [Samaritan’s Purse] helping the people of North Carolina.”
Hurricane Matthew left 27 people dead in North Carolina and damaged more than 100,000 homes, causing millions of dollars in losses to homes, businesses, and government buildings—not counting extensive farm damage. Forty-two of the state’s 100 counties are eligible for disaster assistance. More than three weeks after the massive storm hit on Oct. 8, more than 1,500 households are still living in hotels. It took two weeks for flooding to subside.
McCrory has made several trips into flooded communities to meet with storm victims. He has assembled a bipartisan Recovery Committee and laid out a step-by-step plan for recovery efforts in the 100 days after the storm. He is calling for a special session of the N.C. Legislature to accelerate emergency appropriations to help rebuild homes, schools, and communities; and he is also asking Congress for federal assistance.
Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a Disaster Relief Unit to Pinetops, a town in Edgecombe County that was under water for several days. More than 300 families there have requested assistance, and volunteers have come from 24 states to help. The need is great, and Samaritan’s Purse is still on the ground working.
