Landfall

Helene majorly rained on the Sunshine State’s parade last night as a Category 4 storm.

Making landfall at ____ over ____—___ miles from Tallahassee—bringing along ___mph winds. The Florida Panhandle bore Helene’s initial brunt, but rain, wind, and flash flooding are expected to stretch inland to Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee in the coming hours and days. Residents in Apalachee Bay and Florida’s Big Bend were on high alert yesterday after The National Hurricane Center warned of an “unsurvivable” 20-foot storm surge. 

Prior to landfall, over 42 million people across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were under hurricane and tropical storm warnings. At least 17 counties along Florida’s coast faced mandatory evacuations, with even Waffle House locations in Helene’s path closing yesterday afternoon. 

Track Helene’s path here.

__

BE DOERS
As we wait for the redemption of creation itself, believers can share our hope through radical generosity and service. Join us in supporting the needy in Helene’s path. 

We’ll match the first $2,000 given to Operation Blessing, a faith-based non-profit with boots on the ground and a record of doing great work.* 

“For the creation was subjected to futility ​— ​not willingly, but because of him who subjected it ​— ​in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” 
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)