Arkansas Takes Another Pounding

* By Susan Meister

NEW YORK, NY April 8, 2008—In a state already reeling from tornadoes, ice storms and flooding, a night of powerful tornadoes blew through Little Rock, Ark. on Friday, April 4. “We’ve been torn up pretty bad,” said Don Weeks, Arkansas Conference coordinator for United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). “Things are shut down – we have gas leaks, power lines down, and we have more storms forecast for later in the week.” The United Methodist Committee on Relief has been helping the annual conference in its response every step of the way.

No fatalities have been reported, but there has been extensive property damage, including the parsonage of Russell Moore of First United Methodist Church in Bryant. “This storm has been earth-shattering for so many people,” said Maxine Allen, disaster coordinator for the conference. ”We just ask that people pray for us, send donations to UMCOR and help replenish the supplies at UMCOR Sager Brown. The 1,000 flood buckets we received recently are almost gone. If faithful United Methodists will help, supplies will be available in the future.”

UMCOR Responds

UMCOR is already on the ground with early response teams aiding in the clean-up following massive floods caused by earlier rainstorms. Over the past two months, Arkansas has been hit heavily enduring tornadoes, ice storms, torrential rains, and record flooding. Bryant United Methodist Church is serving as a shelter to help those in need.

How You Can Help

Because the situation is still unfolding, Weeks is still assessing the need for volunteers. Persons interested in helping can contact their jurisdictional Volunteers in Mission coordinator for more information.

Please give to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 and write "Midwestern Floods" on the memo line of your check. You can give through your local United Methodist church or mail checks to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.Contributions may be placed in the offering plate of any United Methodist congregation.

*Meister is the Domestic Disaster Response Correspondent for UMCOR