Domestic Disaster Response & Preparedness
Photo: Craig Thompson, Disciple Design
ONGOING RESPONSES
Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Louisiana Derecho, Iowa Tornadoes, Tennessee Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas Tornadoes, Ohio* Tornadoes, Missouri Flooding, Oklahoma and Midwest US Hurricane Michael, Florida Hurricane Florence, North Carolina* Carr Fire and Camp Fire, California Hurricanes Irma & Maria, Puerto Rico Hurricane Irma, Florida* Hurricane Harvey, Texas *limited volunteer opportunities available, with COVID-19 precautions
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EMERGING RESPONSES Week of Compassion is in conversation with local churches and partners in these areas where disasters are ongoing or have recently occurred. As needs are emerging, we are assessing potential avenues for response. Hurricane Sally West Coast Fires COVID-19 |
Hurricane Sally9/17/2020 updated: 10/13/2020 Event Summary: After stalling off the coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Floriday, Hurricane Sally underwent a period of rapid intensification before making category 2 hurricane near Gulf Shores, AL very early on Sept. 16. The very slow-moving storm battered coastal communities in Alabama and the panhandle of Florida for hours. More than half a million customers were without power as of Sept. 17, even as the storm continued moving across Georgia and South Carolina. Thousands of homes have been damaged from flooding and trees toppled by the winds. Several Disciples congregations in have been directly affected, including damage at church buildings. Federal disaster declarations: DR-4563-AL and DR-4564-FL How Disciples are Involved:
Local Contacts: Alabama/Northwest Florida Region Disciples Early Response: Week of Compassion is providing assistance to and through local Disciples congregations, with solidarity grants for affected congregations and members and grants to support congregational relief efforts. Staff are in regular communication with church leaders in the area as well as ecumenical partners through the VOAD network. Additional avenues of response will develop as needs become more clear. Ongoing Engagement: We will continue to support the efforts of Disciples in the area and will assess possibilities for supporting long-term recovery. How to Help: Volunteer: In the early days of response, logistics are not in place and housing is not available for volunteers who are not local; in the coming months, volunteers will be needed for rebuilding. Stay tuned for details about future volunteer opportunities. Interested local volunteers can reach out to Associate Director, Caroline Hamilton-Arnold. Give to Week of Compassion: Designate “Hurricanes” Pray: Continue to pray for those affected by the hurricane and for our Week of Compassion partners. Advocate: Areas of important advocacy will include support for folks who were already economically unstable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Comments are closed.
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