Christian response teams are on the ground in Florida and Georgia after Hurricane Michael left a trail of devastation.

At least 11 people are dead after 155mph winds tore across the Florida Panhandle, leaving several small towns in ruins.

One of the worst hit areas is Mexico Beach, close to where the Category 4 storm made landfall, flattening entire neighbourhoods. 

More than 800,000 residents are without power across the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. There are fears that heavy rainfall and tornadoes will bring renewed challenges to communities in the Carolinas still struggling to get back on their feet after Hurricane Florence.

Samaritan's Purse has deployed two disaster relief units to Florida and south Georgia to help homeowners clear away debris and mud, while Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are also being sent to offer spiritual counselling to those affected.

'Please continue to pray for God's protection and that many turn to faith in Jesus Christ in these difficult times,' Samaritan's Purse said.

World Vision is working through local partners to distribute relief supplies to thousands of people, including food, clean water, hygiene items and temporary shelter like tents and canopies.

It is appealing for donations and has written a prayer for the affected regions: 'Almighty Father, we ask for Your care and protection for people in the path of Hurricane Michael. Give them the assurance of Your presence and equip those who will provide relief and assistance after the storm passes. Strengthen the minds and bodies of first responders for the days ahead.'

Local churches have also swung into action, with several acting as emergency shelters as the hurricane passed over.

Other churches are making collections to provide relief to people who have been affected. Pastor Aaron Burke, of Radiant Church in Tampa, Florida, told ABC Action News he is working with other churches to collect donations.

'This storm happened so fast, they weren't able to prepare and get supplies and relief, so we thought why don't we gather a bunch of stuff and take a bunch of Uhauls down there,' he said. 

Some churches are themselves in need. Pastor Rev. Luke Farabaugh showed CNN the extensive damage suffered by his church, Saint Dominic, in the badly hit Panama City, Florida.

He said it was 'like a bomb went off' when the storm hit the church, taking the roof off and bringing down walls.

'We're really hurting over here. Our recently renovated offices are just a disaster,' he said. 

Despite their own loss, he said the church has been out in the community checking in on others.

'We've been going around and just making sure everyone's ok...We've seen a lot of signs of hope,' he said.

Pastor Cole Bailey and others at Lighthouse Church in Panama City have taken similar action, driving around to check in on church members, even though Michael smashed the chapel to pieces.

'Everyone's still in shock, to be honest. Most people have never lived through anything like this and with this amount of damage,' the pastor told CBN. 

'I think, really, people – we're used to having air conditioning, power, push a button and do whatever you need to do. Most people have never been through anything like this.'

The church is now acting as a base for teams of relief volunteers.  But he said it will be a while for the church and the community to get back on its feet.

'I don't think a lot of people are coming back right now because there's not a lot to come back to,' he said.

A $1m GoFundMe page has been set up to rebuild the church.