Hurricane Florence Victims Rally Together for One Another...

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:30

As the cleanup starts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware after Hurricane Florence left severe flooding, several communities, churches, neighborhoods, and even people from other states are rallying to help.

 Image Credit: The News Reel

People are showing their support after a devastating storm that could have been much worse. Hurricane Florence which hit as Tropical Storm Florence, had been downgraded from a Category 4.

As neighbors are making their way back to assess the damage to their flooded homes, there have been several lights at the end of this tunnel.

Shelli Tench who was displaced, took $50 and with a prayer in her pocket, she went to her nearest Walmart to buy supplies for those in need. To her surprise, a store manager not only matched her gift, but donated over $1,000 in supplies to assist those struggling at a nearby school shelter.

With flooding levels still high, here are just a few ways neighbors are coming together, donating time, and lending their voices.

Walmart is matching donations 2-to-1 up to $5 million.

One woman chose to use her voice in a shelter to lift a few spirits. Not only did others join in, but it set the mood and reminded people that had Florence come in as a Category 4, the damage would have been much worse and there would have been more fatalities.

There's a scripture, "When you go through the waters I will be with you," and it's a reminder that we serve a loving God who is with us always. God will never leave us nor forsake us and He is our shelter in the storm.

Durham woman's generosity matched by Walmart manager

ABC News reported about a family of twelve who arrived at the Southeast Raleigh High School shelter, only to be told there wasn't any room. One woman, they suggested, could help.

Lavette McGill had already been to the makeshift shelter several times picking people up. She had no problem taking in the large family and we pray God blesses her and others like her for their generosity in helping others in their time of need.

Chick-fil-A opens on a Sunday to help Garner residents after Florence

In another part of town, a Chick-Fil-A which is usually closed on Sundays, opened its doors to help feed those in need. The staff under Donovan and Nikki Carless's guidance asked "What can we do to help?"

The team came up with the idea to feed others and coordinated efforts with the Red Cross. They were able to feed a few hundred people God bless them for their generosity and assistance to think fast on their feet and work with others to reach the most in need.

Dogs and cats rescued after floodwaters rise from Hurricane Florence

With pets not immune to the storm, several dogs and cats were rescued and pulled out of flooded homes to safety.

 

In one harrowing story, an injured Rottweiler let a stranger pick it up to ensure a fast rescue. In another, a rescue team was able to save cats that had to be left at a home. Most shelters didn't allow pets which had to be left behind with the mandatory evacuation.

Here's a reporter where the Rottweiler was being rescued.

Residents were able to brave floodwaters to help feed stranded horses

One news chopper caught this scene overhead where a boat was used to help feed a few stranded horses located in Pender County.

Fayetteville community begins volunteering to help neighbors

In Fayetteville, several residents and various church and community groups have rallied together to lend a hand to their neighbors. The Fayetteville Christian School was able to allow their facility to be used to organize donations and supplies for those in need of warm clothes. With such severe flooding, putting on dry clothes again brought smiles to many faces.

There are concerns as people have expressed they need toiletries, more clothing, food for babies and food for their pets. That comes from Tammi Peters with the Fayetteville Christian School. We are keeping them in prayer that they receive enough donations to provide for everyone.

Prayer:

Father God, we pray for all those affected by Hurricane Florence. Please help them with the rebuilding. Please help them with their pets and to get their senior family members to safety. Thank you that we have an advocate in You and the Body of Christ can come together. We praise You for shelter from the storm and victory over this storm in Jesus' name, Amen!