U.S. Flooding
Flooding from torrential rainfall affects many Midwest and Southern states. (Photo by Reuters Drone Base courtesy of UMCOR)
Heavy rainfall continues to cause significant flooding along the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. Portions of the Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas Rivers and their tributaries are above flood stage. Tornadoes add to the destruction, and wildfire season is starting with over a dozen sites active across California,* Arizona and New Mexico.
UMCOR-trained Emergency Response Teams are active throughout the country. They are in contact with conference and disaster leadership supporting current response and recovery efforts and are ready to support in additional ways as new disaster events develop. The following list of active responses comes from the UMCOR website.
Flooding, Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Assessments are ongoing as areas become accessible. UMCOR is participating in statewide volunteer coordination and is engaged in partnerships including Illinois VOAD. Methodist volunteers are organizing from within the conference.
Flooding, Great Plains Conference
UMCOR is supporting response efforts with a solidarity grant as well as recovery group trainings in cooperation with other partners.
Kansas:
- Assessments are ongoing
- 7 Early Response Teams are completing muck out and debris removal for 112 homes
- Working in Peabody, Mulvane, Douglas, Rose Hill and Augusta
Nebraska:
- 750 UMCOR cleanup kits distributed across affected areas
- 3 Early Response Teams are completing muck out of 60 homes in Columbus and Fremont
- Transitioning from relief phase to recovery phase
- Methodists are participating in developing long-term recovery committees
Shooting, Virginia Conference
Following the Virginia Beach shooting, UMCOR continues to provide crisis counseling in partnership with 15 Methodist clergy.
Flooding, Arkansas Conference
UMCOR is supporting response efforts with a solidarity grant. Assessments are continuing in Ft. Smith and volunteers are assisting with muck out, clean up and debris removal as well as distribution of 1,440 clean-up buckets and 1,300 hygiene kits. UMCOR completed “Just in Time” training as well as Early Response Team and Muck Out training across the state. Long-term recovery strategizing and planning is beginning.
Flooding, Missouri Conference
Over 600 relief kits have been distributed. Volunteers are deployed, and muck outs are taking place.
Flooding, Texas Conference
UMCOR is assessing and evaluating needs in the McAllen area.
Flooding, Tornadoes and Storms, Mississippi Conference
UMCOR is supporting the conference though ongoing recovery efforts such as clean-up/repair/reconstruction, volunteer management and case management. Volunteer teams are being accepted.
Tornadoes, West Ohio Conference
UMCOR is supporting response efforts with a solidarity grant. Volunteers are organizing to provide debris removal and clean up. Churches are providing hospitality.
Flooding, Iowa Conference
Assessments are ongoing and UMCOR is supporting the conference through the establishment of Early Response Team “Train the Trainer” courses. The conference is in communication with districts, state VOAD and other partners. They are also accepting volunteers. Contact Catie Newman at disaster.response@iaumc.org.
Flooding, Dakotas Conference
UMCOR is providing relief assistance on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota through the distribution of relief items and the coordination of debris removal and clean-up projects.
To aid these projects, give to UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance # 901670 through your local United Methodist congregation or online here.