Rio Texas Flooding
A Rio Texas Conference photo shows some of the Rio Grande Valley flooding that has devastated some 6,000 homes.
United Methodists in the United States were confronted in June and July with a wave of summertime disasters, from torrential rains and flooding in the East through a string of tornadoes in the Midwest to 21 large wildfires in the West. Most of the disaster response was being handled through annual conferences’ coordinators trained by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. However, annual conference reports were sketchy on the extent of damages, including harm to United Methodist people and property.
Wildfires
“Moderate initial attack activity was reported throughout the country, which resulted in 21 new large fires. These fires are burning from Alaska to Texas,” according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The New York Times reported that tourists evacuated Yosemite National Park in California on July 25 because of an encroaching wildfire, and that the park has been shut down.
As of July 26, there are wildfires in Alaska (11), Arizona (7), California (6), Colorado (8), Idaho (12), Montana (3), Nevada (9), New Mexico (3), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (15), Texas (3), Utah (6), Washington (1), and Wyoming (2). United Methodist Insight checked the conference websites for California-Nevada, California-Pacific, Oregon-Idaho, Pacific-Northwest, Alaska Missionary, Desert Southwest, Mountain Sky (merged Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone conferences), New Mexico, Northwest Texas, Rio Texas, Texas, Central Texas and North Texas. There were no reports threats or damage to United Methodist people or property.
Flooding
The Weather Channel reported “historic flooding” swamped Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states during the week of July 24. The lower Susquehanna Valley, part of the Susquehanna Annual Conference, was reported to have been hard-hit, with water rescues and at least one town declaring a disaster emergency.
A check of the Eastern Pennsylvania, Susquehanna and Western Pennsylvania conference websites found no news of any damage to United Methodist property from the most recent rains. Western Pennsylvania is still responding to the aftermath of June flooding in its region. In addition, websites of the North Carolina, Virginia, Baltimore-Washington, Peninsula-Delaware, New York, Upper New York and New England had no reports of damage to church property or people from flooding. More details may be forthcoming as the floodwaters recede and better inspections can be held.
While the eastern half of the United States bore the brunt of flooding, recent rains also affected Texas. San Antonio-based Rio Texas Conference issued a plea for help:
“More than 6,000 homes were affected in late June when torrential rains caused widespread flooding in the Rio Grande Valley, especially in Weslaco, Mercedes, and Pharr. The full extent of the damage and need is still being assessed. According to current FEMA registrations, 8,457 homes have been damaged and 1,662 destroyed.
“Early Response Teams from Rio Texas have already deployed to impacted areas. Five teams have been involved in the initial clean-up, and many more groups will be needed.
“According to Eugene Hileman, Rio Texas Disaster Response Coordinator, it can be challenging to get people to respond to disasters like this. ‘One of the amazing things about disasters is that some very significant events go almost unnoticed outside of the immediate area where they occur,’ said Mr. Hileman.”
A Rio Texas media release gave the following links for response:
- Trained Early Response Teams can register to be deployed here: https://riotexasresponse.org/volunteer-for-ert/
- Churches can give financially by sending a check marked Advance #2050 to the Rio Texas Conference office, 16400 Huebner Road, San Antonio, Texas 78248
- Individuals may give online at https://riotexasresponse.org/take-action/
In Iowa, the Rev. Catie Newman, disaster response coordinator for the Iowa Annual Conference, has issued several releases regarding events there.
“Beginning June 7, 2018, the state of Iowa has seen unprecedented rain, flash-flooding and tornado activity. Here are the latest updates:“Northwest Iowa, Rock Valley: A significant part of the community was flooded in early June, they are on the road to recovery. Your prayers are very much appreciated.“North Central Iowa: Many communities in Kossuth, Hancock and Cerro Gordo counties experienced heavy rain and flash-flooding. As many as 300 homes and many businesses were affected.“Central Iowa: In early July, more than 10 inches of rain fell in a very short amount of time, causing extreme flash-flooding in Urbandale, Ankeny and the Greater Des Moines Area. This resulted in more than 3,000 homes flooded and many businesses including several UMC churches and at least one parsonage.
"Recovery efforts are still underway and volunteers are invited. Volunteers wishing to help with flood recovery should register with the United Way at unitedwaydm.org. Please be prepared to make your own housing arrangements outside of the community. At this time, we have not set up volunteer housing and all available space is housing residents. Please contact a neighboring UMC Church and arrange for your own housing.”Rev. Newman said that the Iowa conference has responded with “Emergency Disaster grants, clean-up buckets, tool trailers and more.”
Tornadoes
Rev. Newman sent a report on a wave of tornadoes that hit Iowa in mid-July. Tornadoes also were reported in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., during heavy storms the week of July 24.
Rev. Newman wrote: “On July 19, 2018, a record-breaking 27 confirmed tornadoes raced across Central, South Central and Southeast Iowa. The communities of Bondurant, Marshalltown, Pella, Keosauqua, Farmington and many small communities along the path of the storm had damage. Damaged buildings include several churches and a pastor’s private home. The most significant damage is in the communities of Marshalltown and Bondurant. Recovery efforts are underway, and volunteers are invited and needed.”
Individuals or teams wishing to volunteer in Marshalltown should check with Central Iowa RSVP about opportunities. Individuals looking to help can pre-register at: https://volunteeriowa.galaxydigital.com/user/register/
“Please be prepared to make your own housing arrangements outside of the community. At this time, we have not set up volunteer housing and all available space is housing [displaced] residents. Please contact a neighboring UMC Church and arrange for your own housing,” Rev. Newman advised.
Rev. Newman said in her media release that storage totes of all sizes are “desperately needed” to help recovery efforts. Totes can be delivered to Hope UMC of Marshalltown, 2203 S 3rd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158
In addition, children’ diapers of all sizes, laundry detergent and personal hygiene products or UMCOR hygiene kits are needed. These also can be delivered to Hope UMC.
For those unable to volunteer in Marshalltown and surrounding areas, Rev. Newman asked for prayers for those affected, for those in shelters, and for those responding. Congregations and church groups can also make clean-up buckets and hygiene kits. Go to UMCOR.org for instructions on how to make and ship clean-up buckets and hygiene kits. Clean-up buckets also can be delivered to New Hope UMC, 4525 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310-3744, or Immanuel UMC, 2900 49th St., Des Moines, IA 50310-2549.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief provides training support for annual conferences’ disaster response, delivers relief supplies and money, and sponsors development programs on behalf of the global denomination. United Methodists can donate to International Disaster Response or U.S. Disaster Response. Checks made out to UMCOR and marked for domestic or international response may be sent through local congregations.