UMCOR Responds to One-Two Punch of Dual Storms

Posted: September 8, 2004

Hurricane Frances roared through Florida last weekend, leaving behind damaged homes, downed trees, and other debris just as Charley had done in August. Even as Frances battered Florida and UMCOR disaster response staff began assessing damage in the hard-hit south central part of the state, a major hurricane formed in the central Atlantic. Hurricane Ivan shows potential to follow a path toward the beleaguered state. Credit: Mary Gaudreau/Oklahoma Annual Conference, August 2004

Hurricane Frances roared through Florida over the weekend, leaving behind a "patchwork quilt" of fallen shingles, downed trees and other debris.

"Shingles are everywhere," said the Rev. Debbie McLeod, superintendent of the Broward Palm Beach District.

"Driving conditions are hazardous, most of the traffic signals are out, and there is a growing sinkhole on Interstate 95," she said.

"I am proud of our pastors and laity, who are coping very well and helping their neighbors," McLeod said.

Frances' arrival in Florida marks the first time in 100 years that two major hurricanes have hit the state within a three-week span. Charley and Frances were a devastating one-two punch. Now Ivan, the fifth hurricane of the season, is on a direct path toward Cuba, Jamaica, and Florida. Yesterday the very dangerous storm struck several Caribbean islands. Grenada was the worst hit. Ivan devastated scores of homes, killed at least three people and propelled hundreds of red zinc roofs into the air, according to news reports. It also damaged property in Barbados, St. Lucia, Tobago, and St. Vincent.

Meanwhile, Frances weakened to a tropical depression as it moved northward across Georgia. Up to a foot of rain fell on parts of Georgia, the National Weather Service said.

At least 14 deaths have been blamed on the storm in Florida and Georgia, according to the Associated Press. More than 3 million people were without electricity in Florida, and in Georgia, more than 500,000 homes and businesses were without electricity Sept. 7.

Volunteer teams coordinated by the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church - and supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief - were planning to work with other faith-based groups to assist with cleanup, according to Disaster News Network.

UMCOR and the church's Florida Conference are still responding to Hurricane Charley, which struck Aug. 13 on the Gulf Coast, leaving 27 people dead and billions in damages.

The relief agency has issued an urgent call for flood buckets containing supplies that volunteers use in post-hurricane cleanups. Details on assembling the 5-gallon buckets can be found online.

"We need thousands more flood buckets," said Linda Beher, communications director for the relief agency in New York, September 7. "UMCOR is getting to Florida today and will begin assessing the damage."

Financial gifts are critical during the initial response, UMCOR said. Donations pay for trained disaster workers from the agency's network and the Florida Conference to locate as many survivors as possible following the storm. The church workers talk with survivors about needs as well as possible benefits available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People needing help, as well as volunteers who want to assist in the relief effort, can call the Florida Storm Recovery Center operated by UMCOR and the Florida Conference at 1-800-282-8011, Ext. 149.

In addition, people needing help can call any United Methodist church for assistance, Beher said. "The caller doesn't have to be a United Methodist for UMCOR to respond."

Sources: United Methodist News Service, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Associated Press, Reuters.

See Also

News and Resources

• Church Bulletin Insert: UMCOR Hurricanes 2004.
• Hurricanes 2004: UMCOR Response News.
• UMCOR Recommends Quick Impact Support for Grenada, Haiti.
• UMCOR Emergency Kits: Flood Buckets and other needs.

Photos

• Hurricane Charley Aftermath, UMCOR, August 24, 2004.
• Hurricane Charley Aftermath & Response, UMCOR, August 20-23, 2004.
• Hurricane Frances Aftermath and Response, UMCOR, September 9, 2004.
• Offsite Photo Galleries
• Hurricane Ivan Photo Gallery, Western Pennsylvania Conference.
• Hurricane Ivan Photo Gallery, Alabama-West Florida Conference.
• Hurricane Charley Photo Gallery, Florida Annual Conference.