Reflections by Jack Lipphardt, Director of A New Vision with Hope Flood Recovery
Frequently, I am asked now if Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are affecting recovery efforts in West Virginia after the storms and flood of June 2016.
Of course, they are, as did Matthew only three months after the WV disaster. However, our disaster drew attention away from other prior recovery efforts, such as Superstorm Sandy.
A year from now, survivors of Harvey, Irma, and Maria will be where we are now with their recovery knocked off the headlines by whatever next disasters occur.
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.
The WV storms and flood disaster will take four or five years for recovery. Other disasters, as with ours, will need long-term help and financial support.
Recently United Methodist Communications photographer, Mike DuBose, returned to West Virginia to take photos of the progress that we’ve made in flood recovery. Follow this link to read the story filed by DuBose and writer, Joey Butler.
Follow this link to see before and after pictures – which highlight the progress made over the past year in Clendenin, Fenwick and other flooded areas.
We are grateful for the continued partnership with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). UMCOR is there for the long haul and offers the most efficient use of your donated dollar. 100% of your gifts to UMCOR go directly to provide emergency response, relief, and long-term recovery since denominational funds cover costs of running UMCOR’s operation.
Any local United Methodist Church can promptly direct your gifts to support our continued flood recovery efforts in West Virginia (both the 2016 and 2017 floods), and/or UMCOR.
To ensure that your gift reaches the disaster quickly, give through your church, make your contribution payable to “Conference Treasurer” and note “WVFloods Disaster Response #920” “Hurricane Harvey #114” “Hurricane Irma #112” or “Hurricane Maria #113” on the memo line.
Church treasurers, please use remittance forms when sending checks to the WV Conference Treasurer’s Office, PO Box 2469, Charleston, WV 25329.
Donors, you may also send your check directly to the WV Conference Treasurer’s Office made out to “Conference Treasurer” with “WVFloods Disaster Response #920” “Hurricane Harvey #114” “Hurricane Irma #112” or “Hurricane Maria #113” in the memo line and mailed to the above address. If you prefer to use the UMCOR Advance special number, that is “Fund 901670.”
To follow are photos taken by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Ackie Atkinson (left) and Jordan Williams finish drywall a home in Clendenin, W. Va., that was damaged by flooding in June 2016. The two were part of a volunteer team from Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York, Pa. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Layne Miller leads a volunteer team from Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York, Pa., that was repairing a home in Clendenin, W. Va., that was damaged by flooding in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Miranda Neighbors and the Rev. JF Lacaria check on the progress of a new home being constructed for a survivor whose home was destroyed during June 2016 flooding in Clendenin, W. Va. Both work for the disaster recovery ministry of the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Volunteers Beth Carter (right) and Josie Johnson of South Roanoke (Va.) United Methodist Church help repair a home in the Swinging Bridge community near Clay, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Volunteer Eric Carter of South Roanoke (Va.) United Methodist Church helps repair a home in the Swinging Bridge community near Clay, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Volunteers Alex Hawthorne (left) and Olivia DeMattia of South Roanoke (Va.) United Methodist Church help repair a home in the Swinging Bridge community near Clay, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Volunteer Olivia DeMattia of South Roanoke (Va.) United Methodist Church helps repair a home in the Swinging Bridge community near Clay, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
The Rev. Rick Sale (right) helps apply siding on a home near Rupert, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. He is joined by the Revs. Mike Estep (center) and Okey Harless. The three serve as district superintendents in The United Methodist Church’s West Virginia Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball of the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church (on ladder) and members of her cabinet help repair a home near Rupert, W. Va., for a survivor of the severe floods that struck the area in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
The Rev. Jonathan Dierdorff, seated in the sanctuary of Rainelle (W. Va.) United Methodist Church, describes his experiences during the June 2016 flooding that killed four people in Rainelle and heavily damaged many homes and businesses. Following the flood, the church installed bathroom and shower facilities to be better able to host some of the many volunteer teams working in the area. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
Wayne Davis (left) and the Rev. Russell Lee work to restore access to a home in Richwood, W. Va., that was damaged by runoff from a June 2016 flood. Davis is from Byrd Chapel United Methodist Church in Kents Store, Va., and Lee is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in South Boston, Va. They are part of a volunteer team working with the disaster recovery ministry of the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
The Rev. JF Lacaria describes progress in restoring a home in Richwood, W. Va., that was damaged by runoff from a June 2016 flood. Lacaria is executive director for disaster recovery for the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.
The Cherry River flows past Fenwick (W. Va.) United Methodist Church. The river, now at normal levels, flooded the church basement in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
The Rev. Judy Pysell stands in the doorway of Fenwick (W. Va.) United Methodist Church. The church basement and kitchen were ruined by flooding in June 2016. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.