Christian relief groups are responding to a brutal ice storm that crippled Oklahoma and devastated states from Maine to Texas.
Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Response team quickly reacted to the powerful ice storm. The organization has distributed more than 84,000 pounds of food, water and personal hygiene kits throughout the Ozarks, which includes predominantly the states of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, reported the Springfield, Mo., based group on Wednesday.
“The Springfield community has done so much to help so many around the world,” said Kary D. Kingsland, director of Convoy of Hope U.S. Disaster Response. “We’re happy to come alongside these great organizations and help them serve our friends and neighbors during their time of need.”
More than 300,000 homes and businesses in several states were still without electricity on Wednesday, reported The Associated Press. Ice, snow, and high wind have knocked out electricity in nine states and caused 55 deaths. Oklahoma was the hardest hit with at least 24 storm-related deaths since Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Salvation Army responded to local needs in Oklahoma when the storm damaged all 77 counties and left over 100,000 households and businesses without power in the state.
Mobile feeding units from Oklahoma and Arkansas were deployed by the Army to provide meals, blankets, cots, and water to the affected families. The Salvation Army is working with American Red Cross to provide three meals per day for shelters throughout Oklahoma.
The freezing weather conditions began Friday morning and 14 people have died on Oklahoma roads, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Army reported.
Other states affected by the storm include Missouri, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine.
