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United Methodists Work Toward Long-term Hurricane RecoveryBy Linda BloomPosted: November 7, 2004 UMNS, 11/05/04: This year's hurricanes may no longer rate coverage on the Weather Channel, but those affected by the storms are reminded daily of their impact. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, domestic disaster coordinator for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, said his agency has received funding requests from United Methodist conferences in Florida, Alabama, Western North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. UMCOR also is assisting with recovery work in the Caribbean. How much assistance the agency can provide, especially for long-term recovery, depends upon the donations that UMCOR receives, he told United Methodist News Service. As of early November, UMCOR reported, volunteers had invested more than a million hours in recovery projects related to the recent hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Charley kicked off the storm season in mid-August, followed by Hurricanes Frances, Ivan, Jeanne and other storms, named and unnamed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has labeled the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season "one of the busiest and most destructive in history." In Florida, up to 1,000 new volunteers have registered with the denomination's storm recovery center there for work assignments over the next year. Another focus is case management, and UMCOR is coordinating with the United Methodist Florida Annual Conference to set up training sessions and staffing. "We are working very hard to get case management in place, whether it is hired or volunteer – we're going to try to use a combination of the two," Hazelwood said. He pointed out that more middle-class families are seeking assistance in Florida because the insurance deductibles there are so high. In some cases, he added, homeowners must pay a different deductible for each storm. Case management training is set for mid-November in the denomination's Alabama-West Florida Conference, according to the Rev. John Edwards, conference disaster relief coordinator. "We're looking to move into the long-term recovery process in a bigger way." At least four counties have organized long-term recovery committees, with more assessment needed in rural, inland areas, he added. Hazelwood noted that the recovery work in Alabama-West Florida would depend partly upon the funds available and partly on how efforts are coordinated with other denominations and relief groups. "We, as United Methodists, are trying to see where we can plug in," he said. In some areas, essential services are still being restored. Edwards, who lives in Santa Rosa County and serves as pastor of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church near Jay, Florida, and the state line, noted that he is among those still without telephone service. Housing remains a critical issue in the region. "FEMA is getting mobile homes and travel trailers in as fast as the manufacturers can turn them out," Edwards said. Volunteer work teams for the Alabama-West Florida area currently are being scheduled through summer of next year, "but we can always use more volunteers," he added. Rains generated by the hurricanes hit Western North Carolina hard, according to Hazelwood, and case management training is planned there in November. "Several small communities were devastated by flooding and mudslides," he said. Dawn Hand, the Western North Carolina Conference's director of communications, said that United Methodists there expect at least a two-year recovery period. "We are in the process of securing staff to work in Haywood County, one of the areas that was heavily damaged," she added. United Methodist volunteers also are working in cooperation with Baptists in Macon County. About 300 to 400 homes need to be rebuilt in Haywood County, Hand said. Volunteer teams are working there every week, and new teams are being scheduled into next year. Although Hurricane Ivan had been downgraded to a tropical storm when it hit western Pennsylvania, major flooding still occurred in Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties. The Rev. Rick Nelson, disaster response coordinator for the United Methodist Western Pennsylvania Conference, said most of the initial cleanup is completed, although some elderly residents who need assistance are still being identified. About 10 long-term recovery groups have been established in worst-affected areas throughout the conference, according to Nelson, and casework managers are being hired. As coordinator, he is helping organize, train and resource these groups. Most flooded areas are in the "dry out" stage. "Very few, if any, in the communities are ready to start rebuilding," he explained. But the conference plans to start scheduling volunteer teams for when that phase begins. |
 TARENTUM, PA: Bishop Bickerton, right, talks with Joy Bargerstock, center, at her flooded home with her pastor, the Rev. Alice Weaver Dunn. Although Hurricane Ivan had been downgraded to a tropical storm when it hit western Pennsylvania, major flooding still occurred in Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties. Credit: MRehn, a UMNS photo courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, October 1, 2004. How to Participate in This ResponseDonations for the denomination's response to this years deadly 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 1-800-554-8583 toll free. Flood BucketsHelp replenish supplies of flood buckets filled with cleaning materials. Contents and 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 to Material Resource Ministry, Advance #901440 for cleaning supplies that the staff and volunteers at the Sager Brown Depot will use to assemble flood buckets. VolunteersIndividuals or organizations interested in coordinating a group to assist with Hurricane relief and recovery efforts can call UMCOR's toll-free volunteer hotline at 1-800-918-3100 or email lknight@gbgm-umc.org. See AlsoNews and Resources
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Source: United Methodist News Service.
