MEMPHIS, TN — Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are at work in Memphis, Tennessee, after Winter Storm Landon brought record snowfall and destructive freezing rain to much of the U.S. last week. Crippling ice from Landon stretched from Texas to New England. At least three people died due to the severe weather conditions.

Memphis was one of the hardest-hit places. Sub-freezing temperatures and thick layers of ice caused more than 270,000 power outages in the greater metropolitan area and toppled numerous trees. Damage to homes is widespread and extends from Memphis northeast to the Kentucky border.

Volunteer teams are hard at work helping homeowners by cutting up trees and clearing debris.

Clifford Bonam, Jr. – Homeowner:

Well, the phrase we heard, it was coming. It did come, and I wasn’t expecting it myself, personally, to be this bad.

Teri Bordages – Homeowner:

In the ice storm, my pine tree started shedding its branches, and lost almost all of the branches on the tree. And so each little fluff of pine needles was like a cluster of icicles, and the limbs just started crashing.

Clifford:

The ice came, rain; and all of a sudden, we heard branches breaking off, you know, snapping like a firecracker.

Teri:

It was scary. I was afraid they were going to hit the house, and it’s just made a big mess.

Clifford:

Thank God no one got hurt. The house wasn’t damaged. But I’m just thankful that my grandbabies were here with me. They’re safe. I’m safe.

Teri:

I feel blessed that Samaritan’s Purse has come here to help everyone in Memphis, but especially me.

I think more people need to pray and put blessings on all those people that are willing to come and volunteer and help you.

Clifford:

And for great people like you all to come out, and volunteer to help clean this up, is amazing.

And they act like they love what they’re doing. I’m a believer of Jesus myself, and I really appreciate the kindness that you all have showed me today.

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: Gabrielle Bouquet, news@samaritan.org

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