On the night of June 24, torrential rain caused the Rapidan Dam to collapse which led to flooding that devastated the Minnesota town of Waterville. More than 170 families have been affected and a state of emergency has been declared in the area.
Because Samaritan’s Purse USA is at capacity with disaster responses, the town requested help from Samaritan’s Purse Canada.
“These families have lost so much, and they have no one to turn to for help,” said Keith Waara, acting director of Canadian Ministry Projects. “We pray for these hurting families and are planning to do all we can to ease their distress.”
Your prayers and financial support will make a critical difference in Jesus’ Name. Currently, Samaritan’s Purse is the only disaster relief organization responding to this crisis.
One of our Disaster Relief Units—a tractor-trailer equipped with flood recovery equipment, safety gear—and support vehicles is being sent into Waterville. And we’re bringing much needed aid to our southern neighbours through the team of specialists on their way. The convoy will be stationed at a partner church. Our team will clean up flooded basements and prepare homes for repair, at no cost to homeowners, as they share the love of Christ.
“Please pray for the people of Waterville and the surrounding areas,” said Waara. “The amount of devastation and property loss is immense. We are bringing hope in Jesus’ Name to those who need it most.”
Please also pray for families in North Shuswap, British Columbia, who are recovering from the devastating wildfires in the summer of 2023.
A Samaritan’s Purse team is working with these vulnerable families still trying to piece together their lives after losing everything. We are planning to remove toxic and dangerous debris from their properties, while providing emotional and spiritual support in Jesus’ Name.
In recent years, Samaritan’s Purse Canada has helped families affected by a wide variety of Canadian and international natural disasters, including the 2023 wildfires in British Columbia, Hurricane Fiona in Prince Edward Island in 2022. In the United States, we have responded to hurricanes in Louisiana and Texas.
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada Rapid Response Team will also be serving alongside Samaritan’s Purse teams in Waterville.
Help Samaritan's Purse respond quickly to victims of disasters across North America, providing not only physical assistance as people clean up and rebuild after wind, floods, fires, and other disasters, but also emotional and spiritual support in the aftermath of tragedy.