Scientology Disaster Response Team: “Florida Storm Victims Still Need Help”

Scientology Disaster Response Teams have been providing relief since Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida.

When Hurricane Ian rampaged through Southwest Florida with 155 mph winds, it left devastation in its wake, killing at least 119 and creating economic havoc. Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been providing disaster relief since the storm passed through the region and their work is far from over.

On first arriving in North Port, Florida, the volunteers found much of the region underwater.

Hurricane Ian created tremendous devastation. When the Volunteer Ministers first arrived, much of the area was underwater.

“We came across a lot of people whose houses were demolished,” said a Volunteer Minister who was among the first to arrive in the area. “They were without running water or power, so the water we handed out was super appreciated. We came up to a mobile home park that was totally demolished. As we were driving by, a woman was standing by the side of her home and we asked if she needed water. She didn’t, but she desperately needed ice for her insulin or it would go bad.” The Volunteer Ministers had no idea where to get ice, so they drove around and finally found a store with enough ice to tide her over.

Volunteer Ministers equipped with chainsaws took on clearing away fallen trees and hanging branches. They cleared out streets so people could get into and out of their homes. They helped move families out of flooded areas to friends’ and families’ homes.

It took another team of Volunteer Ministers many hours to clean out the debris from a woman’s home and around her property. They sent her pictures of the house when they were done and she called them in tears, thanking them for their help. They cut down a tree that had fallen on another house and helped a 97-year-old veteran clear away the storm damage that covered his home.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers coordinate their activities and set out to provide help.

Helping those affected by Hurricane Ian.

Now two weeks later, there are still so many people in need of help, and the Volunteer Ministers continue to serve in North Port, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Orlando.

“We’ve been using the Crisis Cleanup website, where people needing assistance can register for help,” said one of the Volunteer Ministers. Using this site, they were directed to a trailer park. “It was heavily hit by the hurricane and several homes were severely damaged. We cleared away debris, cut down fallen trees, cleaned off roofs and helped tarp the side of a house that had been ripped off, providing the home shelter from the elements.”

Tampa Bay Volunteer Ministers earned their reputation as “Hurricane Heroes,” with an award from the Governor of Florida after their response to Hurricane Charlie in 2004: “This certificate is presented to Scientology Volunteer Ministers of Tampa Bay Hurricane Heroes, in recognition of exemplary efforts that not only benefit your local community but also lend truth to the belief that all citizens of Florida can make a difference in the lives of those they serve,” it states.

They have continued to serve, responding to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 and every local hurricane since, most recently Irma in 2017, Michael and Florence in 2018, as well as Hurricane Harvey in Texas in 2017, Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, and Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019.

In July 2015, Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige dedicated the center for the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of Florida. He said, “In times of disaster, whether affecting whole populations or a single household, our Volunteer Ministers prove on a daily basis that ‘something can be done about it.’ We do not discriminate. We do not judge. All we care to do is help. And, as demonstrated time and again, we deliver that help anywhere and everywhere.”