Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is part of hurricane recovery efforts in several states

Members of an Oklahoma faith-based disaster relief organization helped with hurricane recovery efforts in two states, before traveling to other states where they are currently offering much-needed aid to storm victims.

Jason Yarbrough, state director of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, said volunteer teams were part of hurricane recovery efforts in Texas and they recently returned from Louisiana, where they also provided storm recovery aid.

He said volunteers are currently operating a recovery site in North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and volunteer chainsaw crews are helping with recovery efforts in Georgia.

More: Oklahoma Baptists providing disaster relief aid in response to wildfires

In North Carolina, volunteers are managing a site in Swannanoa, just east of Asheville, where meals, showers and laundry facilities are being offered to storm victims and volunteers from other organizations providing aid. Yarbrough said Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is providing logistics, administrative and organizational services at this command center for the other Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams coming from other states to serve the area.

An Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw team member works to clear debris from property in Georgia.

He said about 50 Oklahoma volunteers are helping run the recovery site, and also conducting “mud out” in flooded homes by tearing out water-damaged sheetrock and flooring, while clearing out mud and debris.

Meanwhile, about 15 Oklahoma volunteers are serving in Georgia this week, and Yarbrough said about 40 people will be helping in the state over the next couple of weeks.

“We’re doing our part to help those states respond, just like when we have major things happen in Oklahoma, those states will come and help us when I invite them and ask them to come help,” he said.

The disaster relief leader said the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams have provided 40,000 hours of volunteer work and volunteers have prepared 35,000 meals for storm victims and disaster relief workers.

“We offer help and hope,” Yarbrough said.

He said the disaster relief group appreciates any financial support they receive but Oklahomans are helping in another way, as well.

“Those are important pieces for us to not only have the financial support of people, but we love prayer support that we get from Oklahomans as they help send us out.”