UMCOR / Our Work / Disaster Response / Ongoing / Spring Storms 2011

Spring Storms 2011

Spring Storms 2011

News Stories/Blogs

Faith UMCFaith Stays Afloat

Though they lost both their home and their church to the flood in Minot, ND, last month, Ada and Bob Lower continue to lead Faith UMC’s efforts to feed the hungry, now via a mobile food pantry. Watch the video.

 

Members of the Holston Annual Conference form an assembly-line effort at Lake JunaluskaConferences Focus on Disaster Relief

In the wake of recent storms, annual conferences of The United Methodist Church are raising money and gathering supplies for storm survivors.

 

Flooding in Minot continues to take its tollMinot, North Dakota, Journal

Flooding in Minot continues to take its toll, says the Rev. Lee Gale, as he offers a snapshot of the North Dakota town.

 

Don TrippJoplin Response Shows Denomination's Strength

United Methodist connectional ministry offers a light of hope in and after a storm that pounded a Missouri town. Read the story, view a slideshow.

 

The Rev. Aaron BrownIn Joplin, Faith Remains Where Little else stands

Faithful of a tornado-ruined church in Joplin, Missouri, pick up pieces and reach out to neighbors after the storm.

 

Lynn Mosley carefully steps over downed power lines in north Minneapolis on the morning of May 23 following damage from a May 22 tornado.Police Chaplain Serves the Tornado-stricken

 As police chaplain and pastor, Rev. Linda Koelman is present to tornado survivors in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

The town of JoplinJoplin Tornado Hits UM Churches, Members

 The town of Joplin, Missouri, is the latest casualty in a devastating 2011 spring storm season. UMCOR’s US Disaster Response executive, Rev. Tom Hazelwood, is there.

 

The Rev. Aaron BrownUMCOR Keeps Promise to Storm Survivors

UMCOR is keeping its promise to stand with tornado, storm, and flood survivors, who this spring have experienced historic challenges.

 

Severe Weather in Three StatesSevere Weather in Three States

Tornadoes over the weekend wreaked widespread destruction and caused scores of deaths.

 

Greenville District Disaster Response Coordinator Cliff HarvellA Rolling Flood of Need

As UMCOR assists annual conferences in the wake of April tornadoes and severe storms, new emergencies loom.

 

Flooding in MemphisVolunteers launch UM relief efforts in Southeast

The Rev. Sandra Fendley makes daily trips to what’s left of Vaughan United Methodist Church after a tornado blew off its roof and punched holes in its walls. Read more in the UM Reporter.

 

Flooding in MemphisSt. John's UMC Responds to Storms and Flooding

As weather emergencies have been taking place throughout the Memphis Annual Conference, churches are reacting and responding in many creative ways. Read more in the UMCOR Notebook.

 

Residents view the remains of a home destroyed by a tornado in GriffinSpring Storms Hotline

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” So simple. So powerful. So much at the heart of who we are as United Methodists. Does it make you wonder... who is my neighbor?

 

Residents view the remains of a home destroyed by a tornado in GriffinUMCOR Underscores Commitment to Storm-ravaged South

UMCOR underscored today its “absolute commitment” to communities impacted by this year’s historic spring storms, even though the organization’s US Disaster Response funds are extraordinarily tight.

 

The US South and midsection are seeing unprecedented storm activity this springStorms Leave a Trail of Death and Damages

UMCOR is in contact with bishops and disaster response personnel in annual conferences affected by last night’s storms to assess damages and next steps to assist communities in need.

 

While the South Carolina Annual Conference’s Disaster Response Team helped their neighbors to the north clean up following historic tornadoesSouth Carolina UMVIM ERT Disaster Response to North Carolina

South Carolina Annual Conference’s UMVIM Disaster Response Team responded to the call to aid their North Carolina neighbors after devastating tornadoes there.

 

The severe weather that affected North Carolina and seven other states ten days ago continues to wrack the South with stormsSevere Weather Continues to Haunt South

As severe weather continued to wrack the South, UMCOR worked with United Methodist annual conferences to assess damages and respond to survivors. Violent weather is expected to continue in the coming days.

 

Stony Brook Mobile Home Park was one of the places hardest hit by April 16 tornadoes in North Carolina.Reaching Out to Vulnerable Communities after the Storm

UMCOR Disaster Response consultant Barbara Tripp describes the aftermath of tornadoes in her home state, North Carolina, and efforts to help the most vulnerable.

 

After TornadoesAfter Tornadoes, a Light of Hope

After some 200 tornadoes tore through the US South at the end of last week, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working with annual conferences to assess damages, convene volunteers, and extend the light of Easter hope across a ravaged landscape.

 

Storm Stampedes through US SouthStorm Stampedes through US South

A massive storm system that spanned three days, April 14 – 16, and seven states left at least 45 people dead, hundreds injured, and millions of dollars in damages. UMCOR is working with early response teams and annual conferences to assess damages and needs. Please pray for the affected communities.