Unbelievable Devastation: United Methodists Respond in Aftermath of Hurricane Charley

Posted: August 24, 2004 Print-friendly

United Methodists are responding to the physical and spiritual needs of Hurricane Charley survivors. In Florida, several churches are ministering in the midst of the destruction. Even more United Methodists from Florida and across the denomination are volunteering, sending contributions, and contributing UMCOR Flood Buckets filled with cleanup supplies.

Trinity United Methodist Church in Arcadia, Florida is one example of a congregation that is reaching out to a devastated community. Arcadia is located about 30 miles from the Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte areas, where the storm made landfall. Each day since Charley unleashed a torrential amount of rain and more than 130-mile per hour winds on the city, hundreds of residents have streamed into the downtown church seeking a hot meal and necessities.

"There are no words to describe [experience of surviving the storm]," Elaine Williams said as she left Trinity last week with some essential items--cleaning supplies, food, and toiletries."It's very depressing and very devastating. I'm just thankful to be able to come here and get some help." Her home was destroyed in Hurricane Charley. She, her husband, and two children are living with her aunt in a one-bedroom apartment until they can make other living arrangements.

Trinity's pastor, the Rev. David Harris, said 80 people sought shelter at the church while he rode out the storm with his family less than a mile away at the parsonage. Although Harris has been the Florida Conference's disaster response coordinator for a number of years, it was his first time experiencing a hurricane. "It was frightening," he said. "I didn't know what to expect, but I knew the Lord was going to take care of us."

Harris was in his car and on his way to the church minutes after the hurricane had passed. "It took me 20 minutes to find a street that was passable with all the downed power lines and trees," he said. "It brought tears to my eyes to see the houses that were completely devastated."

The church, like most of the community, lost power, but is operating with generators. It has provided more than 450 hot meals each day since the storm hit, with help from church volunteers from throughout the conference.

Volunteers from the church continue to go into the community in work teams to remove debris and do minor household repair, such as covering damaged roofs with tarp. Crews have also been dispatched to distribute food and cleaning items to neighborhood homes. He said churches are sending supplies, and volunteers are working to put essential items into bags for residents.

Amy Byal is one of those volunteers. The member of Harvest United Methodist Church, Bradenton, was working August 18 to put paper products--cups, plates and towels--into bags. She said she felt compelled to volunteer because she could have been the one in need had the hurricane hit her area.

Ozel Martin, who lives in Tallahassee, had not been tracking the storm the day it hit because it was not initially projected to significantly affect Arcadia, his hometown. He had no idea the hurricane had changed course until 30 minutes before it hit the area. The Tallahassee resident was fearful for his 96-year-old mother and her caregiver, who live in Arcadia.

"I knew it was bad, but I could not believe my eyes when I arrived in town," he said. "I still can't believe it."

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UMCOR has abridged and adapted material written by J.A. Buchholz, a staff writer for e-Review Florida United Methodist News Service.

ARCADIA: Ozel Martin stands in front of the remains of his mother's carport at her Arcadia home. The carport was destroyed and the home's roof was damaged during Hurricane Charley. Credit: e-Review/J.A. Buchholz, August 19, 2004.

How to Participate in This Response

Donations for the denomination's response to Charley and other hurricanes should be earmarked for Hurricanes 2004, UMCOR Advance #982410. Checks written to UMCOR can be placed in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, N.Y. 10115. Credit card donations can be made by calling toll free, 1-800-554-8583.

Flood Buckets

Flood buckets from the United Methodist Committee on Relief's Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana were delivered Florida Annual Conference before Hurricane Charley made landfall. In the two days following , district churches delivered 505 flood buckets and 1,924 health kits to First United Methodist Church, Port Charlotte, and Trinity in Arcadia. The conference has more than 1,500 flood buckets and 850 health kits ready to be shipped wherever they're needed.

UMCOR urges United Methodists to help replenish supplies of flood buckets that were sent to Florida. The buckets include such items as sponges, brushes, trash bags and various types of cleaning materials. Specifications can be found online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/ . Completed flood buckets--and $1.50 per bucket to cover reshipping--should be sent to UMCOR Sager Brown, 101 Sager Brown Rd., Baldwin, LA 70514.

UMCOR is also requesting donations for its Material Resource Ministry, Advance #901440 for cleaning supplies that the staff and volunteers at the Sager Brown Depot will use to assemble flood buckets.

Volunteers

Individuals or organizations interested in coordinating a group to assist with Hurricane Charley relief and recovery efforts can call UMCOR's toll-free volunteer hotline at 1-800-918-3100. Volunteers may also contact the Florida Storm Recovery Center at 1-800-282-8011, extension 149. The Florida Conference recovery team now has an email address: StormRecovery@flumc.org