North Alabama | Mississippi | Tennessee | Memphis | South Carolina | North Carolina | Western North Carolina | Virginia | South Georgia

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE UMCOR Recorded Hot Line for current and opportunities: 800/841-1235 or http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor-hotline.

[#901670 – Disaster Response, United States - UMCOR response to United States natural disasters.]

[#982511 – Hurricanes 2007 - To respond to emergencies globally as a result of hurricane devastation]

[#982523 – Hurricanes 2005 - To respond to emergencies globally as a result of hurricane devastation]

[#982500 – Hurricanes 2006 - To respond to emergencies globally as a result of hurricane devastation]

CURRENT DISASTER SITES WHERE LONG TERM RECOVERY TEAMS (UMVIM) ARE NEEDED ( 7/15/08 )

1.       UMCOR Sager-Brown Depot, Baldwin , LA – The Depot is always in need of volunteers for various tasks as well as supplies.  With the onslaught of recent storms the number of flood buckets is running low.  Please donate flood bucket to the UMCOR Sager -Brown Depot immediately.  In addition to flood buckets there is a need for school kits, sewing kits, layettes, hand towel and health kits to replace those that are shipped.  For specifics on assembling kits please visit the Sager Brown website at www.sagerbrown.org .  Contact Person:  Volunteer Coordinator,  Tel. #800/334-4221

2.       Oklahoma – In 2007 Oklahoma endured ice storms, flooding and tornadoes.  Recovery efforts are ongoing to help those affected by those storms rebuild their lives.  Volunteers are needed immediately to help with this effort.  Volunteers should be 18 years of age or older.  Housing may be available upon request. Contact Person:  Richard Norman,  Tel. #405/530-2032,  RNorman@okumc.org

3.       Virginia – On April 28^th 2008 Suffolk , Brunswick , and Stafford Counties in Virginia sustained tornado damage.  The community of Driver in Suffolk County was hardest hit.  Between these three counties approximately 800 homes were damaged and would need either repairs or rebuilding.  Volunteers will be needed in the summer to help with the repair and rebuilding process.  Housing is available.  Youth groups are welcomed.  Please note, for youth groups, adequate supervision is required for safety purposes.Contact Person:  Ginny Chambers,  ginnychambers@vaumc.org

4.       Illinois – In the month of March 2008, storms that hit southern Illinois caused major flooding.  This is before the current flooding of June 2008.  Fifteen counties were impacted.  Three of these counties experienced damage in concentrated areas.  There will be approximately 115-150 homes that will need repairs/rebuilding in Union County (rural areas), Saline County (the town of Harrisburg ) and Franklin County (the town of west Frankfurt ).  It is anticipated that volunteers will be needed by mid-August.  Contact Person:  Ed Hoke,   edpathoke@yahoo.com

5.       Mississippi  – The state of Mississippi has been hit by tornadoes and flooding in the past few months.  Because of these storms several hundred homes are in need of repairs or rebuilding.  Volunteers are needed immediately. Youth groups are welcomed.  Persons knowledgeable in carpentry, flooring, sheet rock, etc. are needed.  Housing available upon request. Contact :  Robert McCoy,  Tel. #662/213-6400,  rmm@ms.metrocast.net or rm@eclergy.net

6.       Nevada – In the beginning of 2008 a storm caused the Truckee Canal to breach which in-turn caused flooding in Fernley, Nevada.  Approximately, 100 homes are still in need of debris removal, landscaping, fence mending or home repairs/rebuilding.  Volunteers are needed to help those affected put their lives back together.  The minimum age for volunteers is 16 and this will be based on the UMVIM criteria.  Housing is available.  Contact:  Sue King, Tel. #916/374-1582,  suek@calnevumc.org, Website:  www.cnumcvim.org

7.       Kentucky – Earlier this year storms known as “Super Tuesday” storms ravished western Kentucky.  Approximately 50-60 homes are still in need of repairs or rebuilding in the Muhlenberg County.  It is estimated that this work will continue into next year.    Volunteers are needed to assist with the repairs/rebuilding as well as debris removal.  Housing is available.  Youth groups, young adults and older individuals are welcome. Contact Person: Kevin Brown, Tel. #270/754-2770, revkgb@aol.com  

8.       Louisiana – Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in the state of Louisiana in 2005.  Volunteers are still needed to help with clean-up, repairs/rebuilding.  Although the storm hit in 2005, there is such extensive damage that volunteers will be needed for quite some time. Contact :  Louisiana Methodist Storm Recovery Center, Tel. #877/345-5193, stormrelief@bellsouth.net,  or  stormrelief1@bellsouth.net. You may request to work out of any of the following stations if you have a preference.

Abbeville Recovery Station (Abbeville, LA)
Dulac Substation (Dulac, LA) [#982149 - Community Centers]
Eastbank Recovery Station (Metairie, LA)
Southwest Recovery Station (Lake Charles, LA)
Northshore Recovery Station (Slidell, LA)
Uptown Recovery Station (New Orleans, LA)
North Rampart Street Community Center (New Orleans, LA - formerly St Marks) [#982149 - Community Centers - More than 60 United Methodist multiservice community centers, assisting people in low-income communities]

9.       Mississippi – The gulf coast of Mississippi as well as the immediate surrounding areas were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.   Volunteers are still needed to help with clean-up, repairs and rebuilding.  Because of the damage caused by this storm, volunteers will be needed for quite some time. Contact: Mississippi Methodist Storm Recovery Center, Emily Barlow, disastercenter@meridianumc.org, Tel. #866/435-7091. 866-435-7091.  MS Conference Resource Coordinator, Methodist Katrina Response.  Fax: 228-374-2067. You may request to work out of any of the following stations if you have a preference. 

Camp Hope, Vancleave
Camp Love, Gulfport
Camp Gulfside, Waveland

10.   Arkansas – In the months of January, February, March and May 2008 Arkansas was hit by several storms.  Because of this half the state has been declared disaster areas.  The debris removal phase has ended and the repair/rebuilding phase is about to begin.  Skilled volunteers, such as carpenters, painters, electricians, etc., are needed immediately.  Please note although no youth groups will be accepted skilled young adult groups will be welcomed also.  Volunteer housing is available in the Clinton and Sutgart area., Contact:  Don Weeks, dweeks@arumc.org

11.   Iowa – Recent storms have caused major flooding in the state of Iowa.  As a result 99 counties have been declared disaster areas.  Of the 99 counties the hardest hit are Butlere, Bremer, Black Hawk, Benton, Buchanan, Muscatine, Washington, Linn, Louisa and Johnson Counties.  Volunteers are needed immediately to help with clean-up of debris and mucking-out homes.  Housing is available upon request.  Volunteers will also be needed in the future for repairs and rebuilding.  To keep abreast of the situation in Iowa you can view the website at www.iaumc.org/volunteer., Contact Persons:  Dan & Jean Houston, Tel. #515/432-1226,   IAUMVIM@gmail.com

12.   Wisconsin – Recently storms have caused flooding in 30 counties in Wisconsin.  Crawford, Vernon, Fon du lac Richland, Racine, Milwaukee and surrounding areas are some of the areas involved.  Volunteers are needed immediately to help with mucking-out homes and mole removal.  Early Response Teams are especially needed.  Please note you should bring throw-away clothing. Contact Persons for different sites:  Rev. Jeanne Jones (Teams Only),  revjmj12@yahoo.com OR Ellen Rasmussen (Individuals & Teams), ellenrasmussen@wisconsinumc.org    

PREVIOUS DISASTER SITES WHERE LONG TERM RECOVERY TEAMS ARE STILL NEEDED (UMVIM)

13.   Alabama-West Florida, Disaster Response Center, call 866-340-1956. Alabama as well as the Florida Panhandle area was been hit by several hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, which caused major damage to both of these areas.  Volunteers are needed to help with repairs/rebuilding of many homes that were subjected to these storms.  Lodging is available. Contact:  Alabama/West Florida Conference Call Center, Tel. #866/340-1956

14.   North Carolina – MERCI (Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiatives) has launched a project to build low-income homes for families.  Volunteers will be needed to assist these families with sheetrock work, painting, roofing, carpentry and other aspects pertinent to building. Contact Person:  Ann Huffman, Tel. #888/440-9167

15.   Florida Hurricane Recovery –.# 800/282-8011 ext. 149. Also, don’t forget the disasters of last year!  Three major hurricanes including caused extensive damage to the Florida Annual Conference in 2004.  Now WILMA has entered the scene in 2005.  Many homes were completely destroyed and many others are in need of repairs.  Volunteers are needed immediately to help with debris clean-up, repairs and rebuilding

16.   Texas Conference – Rita Recovery. Wesley UMC, Beaumont, TX. Schedule teams with Angela Baker, abaker@umcortexas.com, 409-892-0140, Cell: 409-225-4380 F: 409-892-0144, or Ward Smith, wsmith@umcortexas.com, Cell: 409-225-3135. Roofs, exterior work on houses, dry wall, ceilings, floors, weatherizing. $15 per night to stay. Y (14 and up), F, A, OA, IV, NOMADS, RV. Max 10-50.  You may request to work out of any of the following stations if you have a preference.

Beaumont (main station)

Port Arthur (satellite station)
Orange (satellite station)

[#901323 – Hurricane Rita - Emergency Response for areas affected by Hurricane Rita]

17.   Dakotas Conference – Flood damage in Aberdeen, SD and Wahpeton, ND.  Teams needed later in the summer of 2007 to help with assistance in repairing and rebuilding.  Contact Paul Baker, 701-642-6202 or eumc@702com.net.     [#901680 - Midwest Tornado Emergencies - Emergency response to victims of tornado, flood, etc. caused by spring storms]

18.   Florida – In February 2007 tornadoes swept through Central Florida.  Due to this, storm residents in the area suffered maximum damage.  Volunteers are needed to assist with clean-up immediately.  There will possibly be a need for volunteers to help with repairs and rebuilding in the near future. Contact:  Florida Storm Recovery Center, Tel.  #800/282-8011 ext. 149

19.   Georgia – Recent storms caused tornado damage in the state of Georgia.  Hardest hit was the city of Americus, Georgia in which approximately 500 homes sustained damage.  Volunteers are needed immediately to help with debris removal.  There will also be a need in the near future for volunteer assistance with repairing and rebuilding this community. Contact Person:  Rev. James “Jim” McIlrath, Tel. #229/924-9414

20.   Indiana, North – Even though flooding was extensive last month in central Indiana, volunteer recovery work crews are also in northwest Indiana to assist survivors of January floods in the Remington, Monticello and Delphi areas.  DANI Director Alan Welch of Lafayette told e-HUM, "We are in need of help with housing some long-term volunteers from outside our area. These folks might be here from two to four weeks. Some will need space for a camper or RV, and others will need a room and bath. If you can help, please contact me right away."  Welch also needs anyone with connections to local campgrounds who might be willing to provide space for these volunteers to contact him.  To contact Welch, call 765-742-4718 or e-mail welchah@gmail.com.

21.   Indiana, South  - Contact Disaster Response Coordinator(s) : Rev. David Powell / 820 W Mill Street / Danville, IN 46122 / 317-745-4330 / info@danvilleumc.org & Bob Babcock / 661 Peachtree Ln / Danville, IN  46122 / bobbabvim@aol.com  / 317 745 7513.  Terra Haute and Bartholomew County Areas in need of volunteers.

22.  Iowa – Flood damaged 15 county area in Southwest Iowa.  Twelve homes to be worked on by UMVIM teams. Housing in Missouri Valley United Methodist Church at 308 East Superior Street. Showers may be taken in the parsonage across the street at 223 East Superior Street. Teams may prepare their food in the church or go out to eat. There are also motels in Missouri Valley if that is the team’s preference. A donation to the church would be appropriate for teams staying there. Contact:  Dennis Meyer, SW District UMVIM Coordinator, 712-249-2508, vimdlm@yahoo.com

23.  Kansas West Conference – Tornado Recovery efforts.  Haviland, KS.  Contact: Sandy Hendrickson, disasterresponse@fairpoint.net, Disaster Response Coordinator.

24.  Minnesota – Winona County Flood Response. Volunteers are still needed to work on homes damaged by last year's flooding in Winona County. Skilled leaders to lead teams of five people (a ratio of one skilled person per five unskilled volunteers is required) will work on sheet hanging, carpentry, finish carpentry, taping and mudding, and painting. Teams can come any day of the week or weekend. A coordinator will guide teams to a job. The groups are needed immediately and through July and possibly later. Adult groups are preferred but older youth with skilled leaders are welcome. If you can help with this important ministry, please call Rick Lane at (507) 457-8882. 

25.   Missouri – In April 2006, the Caruthersville Area of Missouri was hit by storms causing tornado damage in the area.  At that time, over 300 homes sustained significant damage or were completely destroyed.  Although the number of homes needing repairs/rebuilding has decreased significantly, there are still many in need of construction.  Volunteers are still needed to help survivors put their lives back together. Contact Person:  Harlen Crayne, Tel. #573/333-2270, Cell:  573/922-0101

26.   North Carolina – Hurricane Ophelia slammed into the coast of North Carolina causing damage in Carteret and Craven Counties.  Because of this, volunteers are needed to help with the repairs and rebuilding of approximately 12-15 homes.  Lodging is available in churches. Contact Person:  Ann Huffman Tel. #888/440-9167

27.  North Dakota – Residents of Northwood, N.D., were devastated by an F4 tornado on Aug 26. UMVIM teams are needed to assist in the repair efforts. Each team should have one member with some experience in shingling and/or window installation. Contact: Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator Paul Baker, 701-642-6202, eumc@702com.net to receive additional details.

28.  North Dakota – Dakotas United Methodist Disaster Response is working to help recover from the effects of the tornado that caused damage to homes in Rolla and Belcourt, ND on July 7, 2008.  At least eight homes were destroyed and 21 others sustained significant damages in Belcourt, which is on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in north central North Dakota.  Rolla has received approximately the same amount of damage, and damage reports continue to come in.   Many of these homes have little or no insurance coverage.  These rural communities have drawn together, but need our support.   There will future needs for long term recovery teams (i.e., UMVIM).   Contact: Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator Paul Baker, 701-642-6202, <eumc@702com.net> to receive additional details.

29.   New England (Mass., Maine, New Hamp.) – Floods of 2006. Contact David Stackpole, New England UMVIM coordinator, vimnecumc@charter.net or 603-465-7885.

30.   Ohio – Flood damaged areas of Ohio. Visit: http://www.westohioumc.org/. Click on Response to Ohio Flooding.  Contact: Dee Stickley-Miner, dstickley@wocumc.org; 1-800-437-0028 or Sue Alley, salley@wocumc.org, 1-800-437-0028.

31.  Southwest Texas Conference – Volunteers are needed for Disaster Recovery for these two sites:

            Eagle Pass -- due damage caused by tornado.  There is a need for many construction teams for the area. Contact Person:  Monica Rich, Interfaith Disaster Response Volunteer Coordinator, (830)776-6016 or e-mail:  monica@jimandmonica.com

            Starr County (Rio Grande City and Roma) -- repairs/rebuilding in the area due to damage caused by flooding last year in a low-income area.  Contact Person:  Susan Hellums, Border Area Mission Coordinator, (956)661-9771 or e-mail shellums@mcfirst.com 

[#592001 - Southwest Texas Annual Conference General]

32.   Tennessee – Three community-based, ecumenical Long-Term Recovery Organizations (LTRO) have formed to address the unmet needs that remain since the Feb. 2008 tornadoes.  Currently, all teams will be scheduled directly with these LTRO's. Contact information and current needs will be updated periodically on our blog, so check back regularly: TNUMCDisasterRecovery.blogspot.com.  Also, if you want to be contacted by email of new information, send request to JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177.

33.   Tennessee – Spring 2006 tornadoes, ongoing recovery. Teams needed to help with framing, sheet rocking, roofing, concrete work and general carpentry.  General clean up is also needed.  Please have at least 2-3 skilled carpentry folks on each team! Teams can stay in the gym at FUMC, Dyersburg.  Showers are available.  Teams will cook their own meals, using the church kitchen. Youth 7th grade and up are welcome.  An adult (age 25 and over) to youth ratio of 1 - 5 is required. A fee of $500 minimum per team to help pay for construction supplies is requested.  Contact Rev. Robert Craig at 731-285-6454 to schedule a team or for more information.

34.   Virginia – Floods. Recovery Teams needed. Shirley Snead, shirlsne@aol.com or 866-264-8488.

35.  Wisconsin – Long Term Recovery Teams (UMVIM Work Teams). Contact: Rev. Jeanne Jones  revjmj12@yahoo.com, 43646 S Sleepy Hollow, Gays Mills WI 54631.  This was the hardest hit area.  Other regions (we have three more) will have different contacts.  When they are established, I'll let you know.  David Sharpe, Wisconsin Disaster Response Coordinator, 608-788-8724, desharpe@sbcglobal.net.