UCC Disaster Response Opportunities

Disaster News Summary - UCC Response
September 2008

Mary Schaller Blaufuss
UCC Volunteer Ministries
September 5, 2008

UCC Hurricane Recovery Appeal Resources for Your Congregation

Worship Resource/Appeal - Power Point presentation

The time is now right for you to join others in the United Church of Christ in responding to floods and tornadoes in the Midwest from the summer of 2008 and to current hurricanes and storms on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

* During the summer of 2008, floods and tornadoes hit the Midwest U.S. The phase of long-term recovery is now ready to begin. Fields need to be cleared of debris to re-claim the land for farming. Homes need to be repaired and rebuilt as people find themselves with unmet needs after insurance and FEMA payments.

* In August of 2008, Tropical Storm Fay sat over parts of Florida, causing damage in places still recovering from previous storms since 2005.

* On August 31/September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav came ashore on the U.S. Gulf Coast - 3 years, almost to the day - after Hurricane Katrina had hit many of the same areas.

In New Orleans, assessment of damages will begin as soon as possible. As of September 3, it is still not safe to return to the area. Once it is safe to return UCC disaster ministries staff and Partners in Service full-time volunteers, will assess current rebuild projects and new damage from Gustav. Please continue to monitor www.ucc.org for updated information regarding New Orleans and southeast LA information.

On the MS Gulf Coast, Gustav brought a storm surge as high as 19 feet. 3-6 inches of rain fell over the area, with 10 inches of rain in isolated spots. Wind gusts were up to 60 mph with sustained winds around 40 mph. 59,600 homes were left without power, and several hundred homes were reportedly flooded, particularly on the west end of the coast. Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS re-opened on Wednesday morning. Staff members were grateful to find no damage to any of the Mission’s buildings; power and phone service were in place.

Both Back Bay Mission and New Orleans Disaster Recovery will resume their mission trip/work camp programs as soon as possible with their already scheduled groups.

You are needed to gather your disaster recovery mission trip groups NOW and sign up for service in the Midwest AND on the Gulf Coast.

Sign up for service in Illinois, Iowa or Indiana with openings for new groups available from mid-September through mid-November 2008. Also, request dates between March and August, 2009. Sign up here: http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/disaster-recovery-volunteers/disaster-recovery-mission.html

To discuss opportunities for service at Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, call Phyllis Rhinehart (volunteer coordinator) or email her at bbvol@datasync.com. There remain some openings in 2009, and reservations will be taken for 2010 beginning in January 2009.

Limited openings for new groups in New Orleans are available. Sign up here http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/hurricane/. You will hear from the Disaster Ministry office as soon as they are able to return to work.

Openings for new groups in Florida are available now. Contact Stephanie Cohan, Volunteer Coordinator for Disaster Response and Recovery by email at recovery@uccfla.org or by phone at 305-758-4845 or 800-416-1147.

Ohio Conference Disaster Response Ministry