On Sunday night, May 17, 2026, as many as 21 tornados (per USGS and Local Emergency Management) raced across Eastern Nebraska and Western and Central Iowa. Leaving devastation in their wake. Many reports from several communities of trees down, power outages, roof damage, hail damage, wind damage, and some structures destroyed. We are thankful that there have been NO reports of injuries.
Like many of you my first instinct is to pack the car and GO HELP! BUT PLEASE DON’T.
In the days (and weeks) to come, we will have information and opportunities for you to help. The reality is that all available resources are being used. We will simply be in the way at this time.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- PRAYING for those affected, and those responding.
- DONATING a financial gift to Iowa Disaster Response, Special Advance #223
- REACH OUT - If you know someone who is impacted by disaster, reach out, call them, send a note or text. Knowing that others care and are praying makes a huge difference. It’s the best of who we are as a connectional church.
- MAKING CLEAN-UP BUCKETS and HYGIENE KITS: Go to UMCOR.org or Midwest Missions Distribution Center for information how to make Clean-up Buckets and other kits.
- GET TRAINED AND GET A TEAM TOGETHER so that when the time is right you can go and help. Emergency Response Training (ERT) and United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) will help to prepare you for volunteering. Contact Pastor Catie Newman at 712-899-4067 or disaster.response@iaumc.org to schedule ERT or Spiritual Care Training. OR Contact Pastor Derrick Okine for UMVIM Training.
GET PREPARED
More severe storms are predicted for Monday, May 18, 2026 and for the remainder of the spring.
- HAVE A PLAN: Talk to your family, work, church, community about where to go and what to do in case of a storm.
- HAVE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Most news outlets have an app that you can download for up-to-the-minute weather information.
Feel free to contact Pastor Catie Newman for more information or to set up training at 712-899-4067 (call or text) disaster.response@iaumc.org.