ONATCHEE, AL — Deadly US tornadoes ripped across parts of Alabama and Georgia on Thursday, March 25, leaving behind a 100-mile path of destruction.

Areas in and around Birmingham and points east were hit hard by the latest storms. Newnan, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta, also reported widespread damage. Storms wreaked havoc across the two states, leveling homes, toppling trees, and causing power outages. Five people were killed in Alabama’s Calhoun County.

In response, Samaritan’s Purse has deployed three disaster relief units—tractor trailers packed with relief supplies and equipment—along with additional support vehicles and staff. Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains have also deployed to the area and will be on-hand to offer homeowners encouragement and spiritual support.

Garland Herd, Homeowner:

It didn’t discriminate. The trees that it took down, the roofs that it took off, the lives that were lost, it didn’t care.

Christine Lyles, Homeowner:

A lot of people lost a lot. Total loss of everything. I can’t even describe. It was terrifying.

Keeth Willingham, Samaritan’s Purse:

Samaritan’s Purse is here on the ground in Ohatchee, Alabama, where several tornadoes came through the area.

There are a number of homes that have been damaged. There’s desolation. And even down the street there have been direct impacts by deaths.

Volunteers are here on the ground, tarping roofs, cutting up downed trees, removing those. We’re going into homes and tearing out the wet carpet and trying to get them back to where they’re rebuild-ready. So please pray for us as we seek how best to help the people hurting here in Alabama.

Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) program is committed to meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster. We stand ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. The DART specializes in providing water, food, shelter, and medical care while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Lahm, news@samaritan.org

Read more news on Humanitarian Services and Disaster Relief on Missions Box.