CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) — Following the historically devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying crisis-trained chaplains to multiple areas across the southeastern United States. A Category 4 storm, Helene slammed into Florida on Thursday night before moving into Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond. As of this time, the BG-RRT deployments will include: Tampa / St. Petersburg, Florida Perry, Florida Valdosta, Georgia Buncombe County (Asheville), North Carolina High Country (Watauga, Ashe and Avery Counties in North Carolina, and Johnson County in Tennessee) “It’s heartbreaking to see the scale of the destruction from Hurricane Helene. In my nine years serving with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, I’ve never seen damage as widespread. I know we are all praying for those impacted and especially those who have lost loved ones,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We’re sending our chaplains to offer hope and comfort to the weary and broken in the midst of this horrific disaster.” The BG-RRT is deploying in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization which is also headed by Franklin Graham. Together the two ministries will address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who have been affected. In addition to the Hurricane Helene deployments, BG-RRT chaplains are also meeting emotional and spiritual needs in Northern California (wildfire), Brazoria County, Texas (Hurricane Beryl), and South Central Louisiana (Hurricane Francine). Chaplains are also offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes in war-torn Ukraine.