Feb. 9 Disaster Response/Recovery Update

Many communities are still working out the process for how they can effectively and safely use volunteers without subjecting survivors to loss of further property and/or put in jeoperdy insurance coverage and/or FEMA assistance. Below is a brief report on a few areas or items that have not been reported in previous updates.

Savannah (Hardin Co.)--84 homes destroyed or with major damage, Rev. Will Wells working with ministerial association to respond to needs and help coordinate aid. Limited access at this time for volunteers outside the community. Emergency grant given to Pulaski District and Savannah 1st for immediate needs with conference disaster personnel ready to provide aid/consultation as needed, especially as community begins to organize for longer term needs/recovery.

Fairview (Williamson Co.)--23 homes destroyed or with major damage. Rev. Ed Brit working with community leaders in responding to immediate needs. Some local cleanup efforts and collections this weekend are being organized out of the Fairview High School.

Lafayette (Macon Co.)--179 homes destroyed or with major damage. At TEMA's request we sent a member of St. Mark's UMC (Murfreesboro) to Lafayette to help the local officials evaluate and assign volunteer teams. Emergency grant has been sent to Cumberland District and Lafayette UMC for immediate needs with conference disaster personnel ready to provide aid/consultation as needed, especially as community begins to organize for longer term needs/recovery.

Bethpage (Sumner Co.)--117 homes destroyed. Food, water, and other supplies have been collected and distribution happening. Able to respond to immediate needs, as well as, be able to help down the road. Hillcrest UMC (Nashville) collection going there. Gallatin CARES will help with storage and/or distribution. Aid/consultation available as needed from conference.

TN Conference--various destruction and damage in 14 counties. The loss of life is the most striking and devastating result of this storm. Please keep these families and communities in your thoughts and prayers. Various churches have responded to needs in their local communities and aid will be available, including lesser hit areas, as needed. We have recieved offers of around 10, in total, trained Early Response Teams from the following conferences: W. North Carlonia, IL Great Rivers, Virgina, Holston, Florida, Kentucky, and others if we called them.

In the coming weeks the Conference will be working with UMCOR (funds and training) and the local communities to provide training as needed for spiritual emotional care and case management for survivors. After the news coverage has ended and many of our early response/relief partners have finished their work, we will fulfill our call and our role in being partners with families and communities throughout their recovery.