In a land devastated by an earthquake in 2010 and sickened by an outbreak of cholera later that same year, the small island country of Haiti is now being pounded by a new disaster, Hurricane Matthew.
Hurricane Matthew is a Major Hurricane with winds up to 145 miles per hour, which makes the storm a solid Category Four Storm (winds 130-156mph). A Category Four storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale will have effects described by the National Hurricane Center (USA-NOAA/NWS) as:
“Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”
For a country that is still trying to put itself together after the disasters of the past, this storm is heart breaking. It is hard to imagine an island filled with people that becomes “uninhabitable” overnight.
Please pray for the people of Haiti and prepare to give to a trusted charity to send supplies to assist to bring relief to these people.
Baptist Global Response is monitoring the situation is already assessing where to best assist these people following the storm. For more information on where to give please go to the BGR Website: GoBGR.org
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Graphic posted from the 0500 EDT Advisory from the NWS National Hurricane Center; Please consult the National Weather Service or your local media for up to date and local weather information.