Category: Hurricanes

The ACS Disaster Response Teams are currently in Florida assisting with the Recovery Efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. They are working with the State, as well as the Florida and Southeastern Regional Conferences, to determine how and where a Warehouse will be placed. The Florida Conference is looking for ways to support those affected by the devastating flooding in Jacksonville and other areas nearby. Flood Buckets have been located and will be secured and delivered in the next couple of days. The Florida Conference has also assisted a couple of communities in debris removal after trees were blown down in the devastating winds.

The Southeastern Regional Conference conducted a needs assessment of the Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and St. Lucie areas to ascertain how these communities were recovering after the Hurricane. It appeared that these areas sustained little structural damage to their homes; however, the power outage was noted as the biggest challenge in several neighborhoods. They also were able to visit with five churches in these areas and spoke with both members and pastors who felt blessed to have made it unscathed through Irma.

Additionally, food has been a necessity and NAD was able to secure food packets for those in need. Conrad Duncan, Florida ACS Director, transported and distributed them to the affected areas last Saturday. Furthermore, several Distribution sites have been set up and are actively functioning in the State. Donations are currently being accepted at these locations. Though we await the State’s decision on where and when a Warehouse will be secured, we are providing services to those in need from the following locations:

Westchester Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church
9500 SW 16th St.
Miami, FL 33165-7667

Ft. Myers Seventh-day Adventist Church
3451 Ortiz Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33905-7801

Jacksonville Southpoint Seventh-day Adventist Church
3208 Herring Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32216

South Orlando Seventh-day Adventist Church
1112 W Oak Ridge Rd.
Orlando, FL 32809-4712

Brandon Seventh-day Adventist Church
1221 Victoria St.
Brandon, FL 33510

Southeastern Camp Ground
1771 FL Hwy 20
Hawthorne, FL 32640

Please remember all those who have been affected by this devastating tragedy.

September 13

During the last week, Adventist Community Services Disaster Relief (ACS DR) volunteers throughout the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) have been torn between increasing storm devastation needs far to the east and the potential of wildfire recovery efforts close to home. Read More

As ACS Disaster Response warehouse teams are efficiently working in close partnership with the distribution sites in Texas, communication with Florida, (Southeastern Regional and Gulf States) are underway. The discussion centered around identifying the needs in the areas that were struck by Hurricane Irma. The power outages could lead to the need for food, water and other essentials. Additionally, the high number of trees that fell could have a great impact on transportation challenges on the streets in these local communities.

This assessment stage will continue for another day as teams will send their workers into the field to speak with Emergency Management, other faith based groups and local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters that might have verifiable needs that have already presented itself. More updates to follow.

COLUMBIA UNION ADVENTISTS SEND 10,525 PERSONAL CARE KITS TO PEOPLE IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY. READ MORE

The Southern Union and its Conferences have been actively involved in helping communities post-hurricane. The Florida Conference deployed Disaster Response individuals out to areas within its region. A few roofs needed tarps to cover exposed areas, but for the most part those affected were able to manage with their own resources. The Southeastern Conference ACS DR Team, led by Director Peay, identified various requests on the ground in the Daytona area.

The South Atlantic Conference took care of the states of Georgia and South Carolina. As the hurricane was approaching the coast, the town of Savanah was emptied and evacuated just prior to landfall. The inhabitants traveled to the camp site run by South Atlantic. The Camp managers Fullard and his wife provided shelter, food, and comfort kits (including church literature) for over 250 people on the camp site. Several power companies had responded to help in the Recovery, as many towns were over 90% without power. The South Atlantic also provided lodging to the workers, so they might provide service to those who were without power. Currently, roughly 80 workers continue to be housed in the hotels run by Church personnel. Most of those from Savannah have returned back home.

The NAD ACS Disaster Team was able to provide partners who could provide assistance like food, water and other household items to those affected. We are teaming up with other NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) through daily Conference calls where the effects of the storm are discussed. We will continue working with our local Conference leadership in the affected areas and are grateful for their timely assistance to their community. The Carolina Conference is looking for volunteers to help out in the South Carolina Warehouse in Mullins. If you wish to volunteer or donate please click here.

Hurricane Matthew’s impending arrival in the Southeastern states is preparing residents for the worst. The much talked about hurricane has already made a strong impact in and around Haiti, Cuba, and the Bahamas. It is expected to be a historic catastrophe which currently has sustained winds of 125 miles per hour. This weather event is a Category 3 and residents up and down the east coast have been asked to stay abreast of their local conditions and evacuation routes as appropriate.

The NAD ACS Disaster Response Team held a Gotomeeting of its Union Directors and a few affected Conference Directors that are currently on the ground in the region. An overview of the expected timeline as forecast was provided. They also outlined some of the resources that could be available to them should the need arise from FEMA, VOAD, and local Emergency Management. The Southern Union Conference gave the following report from its local teams in South Carolina and Georgia:

• 11 Warehouses have been identified in South Carolina for use should the state need us to set them up
• South Carolina is in full Activation at their EOC
• South Carolina can deploy as soon as needed
• As of 3 pm today, approximately 1,000,000 has evacuated from the coast area
• I20/26 is one way from the coast to I77/26
• A Reentry program is in place and will determine who gets back into evacuated area
• Coastal Churches that might evacuate have been contacted and inland churches have offered support
• GA team is available for deployment and can respond within 2 hours

Bill Brimner, the lead Disaster person of Florida Conference, is currently working to ensure that Florida is ready for the effects of the Hurricane. Several Unions have expressed their willingness to assist the other conferences that are/will be affected, and we’ll be the liaison to facilitate this in a smooth manner.

Let us remember those who have already been affected by this tragic weather, and those who are on high alert as Hurricane Matthew continues to pose a threat for communities.