Samaritan's Purse is helping families who are suffering after devastating flooding in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.

Even after living in this area their whole lives, residents had never seen anything like this storm.

Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 hurricane season, barreled into the U.S. Gulf Coast on June 17, bringing strong winds and severe rains to parts of the Southeast. Though the storm weakened as it came inland, it still brought torrential amounts of water that inundated hundreds of homes in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.

“God, what’s up? What’s happening?” prayed Henrietta Joseph. “I’m almost six foot tall and that water came right up here to my pants pocket.”

Across Avoyelles Parish, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are removing damaged drywall in the wake of the floods.

Henrietta lives with her niece, Joyce Anderson. For years, their home has stood strong, surrounded by the farmlands their family has cultivated, but this was the first storm that has pushed flood waters through their front door.

“I have never seen water that high back here ever,” Henrietta says.

Unable to enter their home because their front door was swollen shut with water, Harrietta and Joyce did not know what damage awaited them on the other side.

Then Henrietta learned about Samaritan’s Purse. We were soon at their doorstep, ready to help them unlock their door, and carry the burden of picking up all the pieces on the other side.

The help caused Joyce to reflect: “In the midst of a storm, you’re never alone. Always know that God is with you, and you’re never alone. He’s going to send the help to get you through it.”

The pair were quick to tell others about the help they received.

“It’s a small town. Everybody knows everybody,” Henrietta said. “What we learned from our parents is that no matter what, you stick together because you’re family.”

Joyce added, “Now we’re telling all our family members about you guys.”

For the people of Avoyelles Parish, the love of their community and their commitment to helping one another is apparent. Soon, word spread beyond Henrietta’s family that Samaritan’s Purse was responding in the area and offering help to all those in the community who experienced flood damage.

“It takes a lot of pressure off people to know that there are organizations out there who will help them get back on their feet,” says Henrietta. For Joyce, Henrietta, and their family, they knew they were no longer alone.

Flooding Like Never Before

“We woke up Thursday morning—it already had rained about five and a half inches, and [that’s when] we started trying to save the house,” Linda Morgan said.

Linda and Wallace Morgan thank God for sending Samaritan’s Purse to their home when they needed help.

The rain started during the night, and it kept pouring down, until the water line was at their door. This was the house Linda and her husband, Wallace, built after they first got married, and it has been their home for the last 57 years.

“We went to the parish barn and got sandbags—as many as I could haul back,” Wallace said. “But the water was steadily rising, and we just couldn’t save it. The water got higher and higher. We fought it from early morning ‘til 10:30 p.m.”

A volunteer helps Wallace Morgan get his kitchen ready for a contractor to begin reconstruction.

Linda and Wallace watched as decades of work and memories were swallowed in contaminated flood waters. Their home and furniture as well as Wallace’s tomato garden, roses bushes, and pecan trees became little islands in the current.

“We had never flooded [before], but I guess there’s a reason, and it might be better. I don’t know. It’s very hard, and that’s all I can say,” Linda says.

Seeing God in the Storm

“This is a special response because it’s another chance to go out and share about Jesus with people and to be able to serve this community of Louisiana,” says Kevin McGann, program manager for this Samaritan’s Purse response. “Jesus transformed my life and this is a way for me to show this community that He can transform theirs as well.”

Once the roads were accessible, Samaritan’s Purse deployed to Louisiana and set up operations at Hessmer Baptist Church within 24 hours of the storm’s passing.

The Morgans’ home was one of the first to be assessed by the Samaritan’s Purse team, and soon, orange-shirted volunteers were knocking at their door, ready to be a part of the transformation.

“We want to thank them very much, and thank God for sending them,” said Linda.

Volunteers got to work removing soiled furniture, cutting away wet paneling and insulation, and spraying mold preventive so that Linda and Wallace’s home is ready for a contractor to begin work.

Henrietta and Joyce prayed with the Samaritan’s Purse team at both the start and the end of their service on their home.

Samaritan’s Purse teams did the same for Henrietta and Joyce.

“I think things happen for a reason,” said Joyce. “With Samaritan’s Purse being here—praying before any work gets done and praying at the end of it—I feel like God is in the very midst of it.”

Please be praying for the families of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, as they continue to recover. Pray that they may encounter the love of God through our volunteers. We praise God that 10 people so far have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Continue to pray for Louisiana residents as they recover from Tropical Storm Arthur and for Samaritan’s Purse teams as we serve them in Jesus’ Name.

SUPPORT

U.S. Disaster Relief & Rebuild A gift to U.S. Disaster Relief & Rebuild equips us to respond to natural disasters across our nation. Samaritan's Purse mobilizes and equips thousands of volunteers to provide emergency relief to survivors of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes. Wherever we go, we bring comfort and the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the aftermath of major storms, we often stay behind to rebuild houses for people with nowhere else to turn for help.

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