Louisiana Conference Mobilizing Relief Efforts Following Hurricane Francine

Louisiana Conference Communications | September 12, 2024

This is a developing story and will be updated as information arrives. Should you have an update for the Communications Team, please email them.

Hurricane Francine made landfall yesterday evening, September 11, 2024, as a Category Two hurricane, bringing significant challenges to communities across south Louisiana.

While the storm's intensity was less than some previous hurricanes, the damage and disruption have still been widespread, leaving an estimated 400,000 people without power as of Thursday morning.

Power crews have already been dispatched, and officials are hopeful that power restoration will be quicker than in previous storms, thanks to pre-positioned crews and improved response efforts.

Initial Reports of Impact on Churches

Hurricane Francine made its presence felt across several United Methodist congregations in south Louisiana, though reports suggest the overall damage to churches may not be as severe as initially feared.

In Dulac, a coastal community that is frequently hit hard by hurricanes, Rev. Kirby Verrett shared a positive update, stating that both the church and its associated preschool came through the storm unscathed. 

In Houma, Rev. Katie Black of First United Methodist Church received reports that the exterior of the church had no visible damage when a staff member drove by to inspect it after the storm.

However, prior to the hurricane's arrival, the church had already been dealing with leaks and some ceiling tile damage. With the storm bringing heavy rains, there are concerns that water may have entered the building, though it is likely contained to areas that were already affected before the storm.

In Thibodeaux, the effects of the storm were more immediate and apparent.

Rev. JoAnne Pounds reported that one-third of The Little School, a key ministry of First United Methodist Church in Thibodeaux, had flooded. There is also water in the Fellowship Hall. 

In Morgan City, Rev. Joy Comeaux reports that Pharr Chapel received minimal damage while several homes in Mogan City flooded.  

In New Orleans, Rev. Colleen Bookter shared a photo of St. Luke's sanctuary (above photo), where water pooled in, and a reflection of Jesus in the stained glass was visible.

As Rev. Bookter shared, St. Luke's was hit hard by Hurricane Ida several years ago, and the church is still recovering. 

"But because of that, we were as prepared as we could have been for Hurricane Francine," Rev. Bookter said. "We used a tarp to cover the chancel area and the screen, an area that often takes on water in our church. Our setup wasn’t enough to prevent damage, but it certainly lessened the damage. And for that, we are thankful!"

Rev. Bookter praised church members who helped prepare the church before the storm and said the church is ready to respond. 

"We are resilient people and a resilient church," she said. "This won’t slow us down. We will worship on Sunday. We will serve God’s people. And we will continue to reach out to others so that our community is stronger. Because that is what St. Luke’s is all about - that is what The United Methodist Church is all about - loving God and serving others."

Meanwhile, in Kenner, the police chief has compared damage to parts of Kenner to damage from Hurricane Katrina, with a significant amount of flooding and power outages. 

Fortunately, Thomas United Methodist Church in Kenner was spared from any damage.

And Rev. Kaseem Short is beyond thankful. After all, the last storm to pass through Kenner (Ida in 2021) damaged the fellowship hall and downed dozens of trees. 

"We are so thankful to have escaped Francine without damage. Our attention now shifts to the community", Rev. Short said. "We stand ready to partner with the Conference and assist the Kenner community in whatever way we can."

In Baton Rouge, St. John’s United Methodist Church had fallen trees. One of the trees fell onto the church sign, causing damage, but fortunately, no structural issues have been reported for the church itself.

Bishop Delores J. Williamston expressed her gratitude for the first responders already at work and offered prayers for their safety as their efforts continue.

"We are grateful for the first responders who are out this morning, and we pray for their safety and for power to be restored quickly. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we will assist local churches as, together, we will be the hands and feet of Jesus, helping those affected by this storm. If you feel alone, know that a United Methodist Church is nearby and willing to help you both physically and emotionally. As Christians, we walk together in hope, and HōPE never disappoints."

Gearing Up to Respond

In the wake of Hurricane Francine, the United Methodist Church's Early Response Teams (ERTs) are preparing to deploy to the affected areas.

These teams will play a critical role in the coming days by helping with debris removal, cleaning out flood-damaged homes, and placing tarps on roofs to prevent further damage.

The chainsaw team will also be mobilized to clear downed trees, especially in areas like Baton Rouge, where trees have caused additional damage.

"Early Response Teams fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster," said a representative from the Louisiana Conference. "Their work helps prevent further destruction while offering a compassionate and caring Christian presence to those in need."

You Can Help

In addition to the immediate response, The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is encouraging the broader community to support recovery efforts.

Those interested in helping can donate to their local United Methodist Church or contribute to the Louisiana Conference's disaster relief efforts by visiting www.la-umc.org/relief or texting RELIEF to 800-500-5858.

All donations will go directly toward the Conference's disaster response ministry.

If you would prefer to mail a check, please mail to:

Louisiana Conference, 527 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Memo: RELIEF

This article is republished from the Louisiana Annual Conference website.