United Methodists in Minnesota, Dakotas Work on Flood Recovery

May 6, 1997: A joint flood recovery plan for Minnesota and the Dakotas hasbeen worked out by the United Methodist annual conferences there.

The two conferences expect to hire two full-time staff to lead their efforts: a coordinator of disaster recovery and a resources coordinator, overseeing warehouse operations.

The Rev. Duane Gebhard, Northwest district superintendent in Minnesota, told United Methodist News Service on May 5 that the estimated recovery period is one to three years.

United Methodist work will be coordinated with efforts by other religious groups, he added.

To help promote fundraising for flood relief, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Emergency Advance has been elevated to an appeal endorsed by the United Methodist Council of Bishops.

A UMCOR warehouse for donated supplies for the region opened May 5 in Minneapolis. Cleone Hagmann and her husband, Harlyn, were there to start coordinating volunteers, both to work in the field and in the warehouse.

"At this point, we're still in the cleanup stage," Mrs. Hagmann said. Volunteers are being bussed to the northwest to assist but must return the same day because "there's no place to stay up there."

Volunteer rebuilding teams are being registered, but are not being dispatched yet. She expects to have teams in the flood region by June.

In the flooded areas, according to Gebhard, some people have been able to return to their homes or neighborhoods. But in places that suffered mass destruction, like East Grand Forks, "it will be weeks before they can get back into their homes," he said.

His biggest concern is "for so many of the farm homes and people in smaller communities all up and down the Red River Valley." He hopes the church can help residents who have no access to the relief efforts in larger communities, perhaps on a one-by-one basis.

An agreement currently is being negotiated to open a second warehouse in a vacant store in Fergus Falls, Minn., according to Gebhard. About 60 miles from the Fargo-Moorhead area, the warehouse in Fergus Falls would be used for storage and distribution.

Supplies needed in flood recovery efforts range from household cleaners, brooms and mops to trash bags and cans and latex gloves to insecticides and mosquito repellant, as well as personal items and baby supplies. Clothing and water are not needed. A complete list and directions for shipping are available by calling the UMCOR Depot in Louisiana at 1-800-814-8765. All shipping costs to either depot must be paid by the donor.

Source: United Methodist News Service.