Across Ontario and Quebec, residents are still reeling from the terrible destruction that struck their communities over the May long weekend. On Saturday, May 21, violent storms tore through both provinces, leaving 10 people dead and hundreds of homes damaged.
Winds as high as 130 km/h ripped trees from their roots, snapped branches and power poles, flipped vehicles, and smashed roofs and windows. Debris is scattered everywhere, and some buildings are flattened.
Your prayers and support are needed to help families pick up the pieces left by these devastating storms.
“An incredible amount of damage was done in a very short time. As we serve with the local churches, we want to be there in Jesus’ Name to help families restore their homes and communities.”
-Tammy Suitor, Canadian disaster relief manager for Samaritan’s Purse
Members of the Samaritan’s Purse Canadian Disaster Relief team are in Ottawa coordinating with local officials and churches. The team initially brought a shower trailer and generators that are helping residents without power and water.
One of our Disaster Relief Units has also arrived and is set up at The Met Church. This specialized tractor trailer—loaded with relief supplies—is equipping volunteer teams with chainsaws, wheelbarrows, protective gear, and other tools to help Ottawa-area families clean up.
These teams are helping to remove fallen trees, clean up debris from homes, and help patch damaged roofs and windows as needed.
“An incredible amount of damage was done in a very short time,” said Tammy Suitor, Canadian disaster relief manager for Samaritan’s Purse. “As we serve with the local churches, we want to be there in Jesus’ Name to help families restore their homes and communities.”
Officials in Ottawa have said that the damage from these May long weekend storms appears to be much worse than the ice storm that struck the city in 1998 or the tornadoes of 2018. Our relief teams served in Ottawa in the aftermath of those tornadoes and during extensive flooding in 2019, as well as in Gatineau, QC.
Please pray for the families affected by the destruction, especially those who lost friends and family members.
Rapid Response Team chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada will also be in Ottawa to serve alongside Samaritan’s Purse volunteers.
Another one of our Disaster Relief Units is in Hay River, NWT, where flood water overwhelmed the small community and damaged more than 100 homes.
Help Samaritan's Purse respond quickly to victims of disasters within Canada, providing not only physical assistance as people clean up and rebuild after floods, fires, and other disasters, but also emotional and spiritual support in the aftermath of tragedy.