More than 20 U.S. states from the South to the Northeast are reeling from the impact of Hurricane Ida and its sizeable remnants with catastrophic water and wind damage, including significant power outages.
To stay on top of the unfolding situation, United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries is listening in to coordination calls and reaching out to UCC Conference Ministers and Back Bay Mission as they begin their damage assessments.
Recovery needs, both short- and long-term, will be massive, with damage estimates in the billions of dollars.
In addition to monitoring the big picture, UCC Disaster Ministries is collecting news of damage to UCC churches.
The wind ripped off the roof of Little Farms UCC in Metairie, La., and damaged St. Paul’s UCC in New Orleans. Back Bay Mission, a UCC community ministry in Biloxi, Miss., reported light damage: missing screens, and lots of debris and downed tree limbs.
This isn’t the first severe storm this year and we can be reasonably sure it won’t be the last.
What’s the best way to help now? Send money. UCC Disaster Response and Recovery Minister Lesli Remaly said of Hurricane Ida, “For a storm this size, money makes good sense as we know long-term recovery and rebuilding will be necessary.”
This also would be a great time for churches to assemble CWS Emergency Clean-Up Buckets and School and Hygiene Kits. CWS stocks Kits for disasters just like Ida. Get full specifications, and apply for a $250 UCC Kits Matching Grant to make your contribution go even farther!