UMCOR Response Hurricanes 2008
UMCOR is prepared long before a disaster strikes—and the 2008 hurricane season is no exception. In each annual conference disaster response personnel are trained and ready to respond in the case of a local disaster. This ensures that someone in close proximity to an affected community is able to be there quickly and to oversee what can often be an extended period of recovery. In the case of a major disaster UMCOR provides consultants and grants to help the annual conference for their disaster response ministry which will be ongoing for years to come. UMCOR also ensures relief supplies are available in the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin Louisiana and in pre-positioned sites across the US.
It is this kind of preparedness that allows UMCOR to respond quickly and comprehensively in the wake of a disaster.
Bayous, Bays and Oceans Sent Waves of Destruction
Sully Griffin has an even better ocean-side view since Hurricane Ike chewed up the houses that once lined the beach in front of his home.
Ike Leaves Behind Damaged Homes, Lost Memories
Vivian Paysse celebrated her 99th birthday a few days before Hurricane Ike washed away the bottom floor of her home and scattered a lifetime of memories along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Local Churches Step Up to Ministry in Their Communities
When a mission team from League City United Methodist Church, Texas returned from a trip to Red Bird Mission, Kentucky in early August, the members were on fire to expand their outreach.
'It's Like Katrina All Over Again,' Survivors Say of Ike
Just one year ago, Mathilda and Glen Verret worked side by side with volunteers who were installing cabinets for a new kitchen in their home.
Southwest Louisiana Station Shifts Focus to Relief Work
For the last three years, the Southwest Louisiana Station of UMCOR partner Louisiana Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry has been helping clients rebuild homes damaged from Hurricane Rita.
Sabine Pass Begins Clean Up with a “Heavy Heart”
You know, we accept this possibility as part of living here," sighed Adam Saunders, lay leader of the Sabine Pass UMC, as he led a tour of the town, devastated by the storm surge of Hurricane Ike. "But we accept it with tears and a heavy heart."
Texas Conference Staff Brings Ministry of Presence to Communities Affected by Hurricane Ike
Texas Conference Bishop Janice Riggle Huie was on renewal leave at Duke University when Hurricane Ike roared through her conference. She immediately came back to Houston "to stand with her people."
UMCOR Sager Brown Ships Relief Supplies to Neighbors Nearby and Across the World
Over the past week, UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, UMCOR's relief supply warehouse in Baldwin, La., has been buzzing with activity as volunteers and staff work to assemble and ship relief supplies to locations along the US Gulf Coast and to the country of Georgia.
United Methodist Leaders Tour Hard-Hit Texas Areas
United Methodist leaders in Texas feared the worst is yet to be discovered as they began touring churches and communities battered by Hurricane Ike and its 110-mph winds.
Louisiana Conference Assesses Next Steps In Consultation With UMCOR
On September 16, less than two weeks after touring areas damaged by the wind and water from Hurricane Gustav, Louisiana leadership was in the southwestern part of the conference to assess the impact of extensive flooding from Hurricane Ike, and to schedule meetings with UMCOR personnel to plan the next steps in the conference response.
President of Bishops Issues Statement on Cuba Relief
Storms continue to leave tragedy and challenging rebuilding across the United States and in other nations.
UMCOR Seeks to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
In a preliminary report released by the Cuban government today, the damage caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike is the most devastating the country has experienced.
UMCOR Responding to Needs in Aftermath of Hurricane Ike
Following the weekend landfall of Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Tex., assessments are beginning to uncover the extent of the damage in Galveston and along the Gulf Coast.
UMCOR Prepares for Ike
As Hurricane Ike churns in the Gulf of Mexico, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is gearing up for yet another September hurricane response.
UMCOR Responds to Catastrophic Storms
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the four successive catastrophic storms that tore through Haiti in less than a month.
Cuba and Hurricane Response
After watching Hurricane Gustav tear through Cuba and hearing reports on Hurricane Ike’s approach, many people are asking why the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is not raising funds to assist with storm relief there.
UMCOR Sager Brown Reopens After Hurricane Gustav
"When we returned [to UMCOR Sager Brown], it was very emotional to see that everything was okay," said long-term volunteer Judi Siler.
UMCOR Responds to Hurricane Gustav, Fay and Prepares for Next Round of Storms
UMCOR's Domestic Disaster Response program continues to respond to the rash of tropical storms and hurricanes that have developed in the Atlantic over the last week.
UMCOR Responds to Hurricane Gustav
After a weekend of preparations and evacuations, communities throughout LA and in parts of MS and FL took a direct hit from Hurricane Gustav and have experienced extensive damage.
UMCOR Prepares for Hurricane Gustav
On this third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Gulf Coast residents find themselves preparing for yet another major hurricane.
United Methodists Prepare for Post-Fay Relief Work
With Tropical Storm Fay still swirling off the east coast of Florida, United Methodists in the waterlogged state are beginning to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts.
UMCOR Responds to Florida Storm
UMCOR is working closely with the Florida Conference. An emergency grant is on its way and early response teams are on the ground in Glades County.
We're 100% efficient. Every dollar you give to this emergency will provide humanitarian relief and recovery only for this emergency. 
Gearing Up— Hurricanes 2008
