In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, TBM Disaster Relief is ready to respond to needs in the wake of what has been forecast to be an active hurricane season through the fall.
Six named storms already have formed in the Atlantic Ocean this year, but none of them reached hurricane intensity. That is some of the earliest activity in the past 50 years and fits in with what forecasters see as an above average hurricane season.
Twelve storms, including six hurricanes, typically form each hurricane season. Forecasters predict as many as 19 named storms for 2020, including up to 10 hurricanes.
“Since 1967, TBM volunteers have delivered help, hope and healing after disasters,” said TBM Chief Executive Officer Mickey Lenamon. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have deployed volunteers after three tornadoes and helped provide 100,000 meals. Together, we are ready to respond in the event a hurricane impacts Texas.”
TBM is taking precautions to limit COVID exposure among its volunteer teams that can provide thousands of meals a day, clean out homes and remove debris to people affected by disasters.
The ministry also is adjusting the way it serves people in order to protect them from the virus. Meals will be served in individual-sized, closed containers. As it always has, TBM feeding kitchens will meet restaurant-level sanitation standards. Volunteers will give the people they serve plenty of space.
“We serve out of a desire to share God’s love with people in the most difficult days of their lives,” said TBM Disaster Relief Director Dwain Carter. “One of the ways to show people you love them is to respect them and take steps to make sure they remain healthy.”
With more than 100 pieces of equipment across the state, TBM is one of the largest disaster relief organizations in Texas. It is ready to respond to any disaster across the state in 24 hours or less. More than 5,000 volunteers already have prepared their equipment and are making sure it’s in working order should they need to go into action.
“In some ways, our response will look a little different this year,” Carter said. “But the heart of the ministry remains the same. We will be here for Texans when they need us. That’s our calling and our commitment to God and each of you.”