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Prepare before Don, Emily, Franklin, or another storm arrives
We are now just over a month into the 2023 hurricane season, with three named Atlantic storms – Arlene, Bret, and Cindy – already history. Fortunately, none of those had serious effects, but there have recently been severe thunderstorms in both North and South Carolina, including hail, wind damage, and flooding.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a normal hurricane season for this year, including from 12 to 17 named storms and 1 to 4 major hurricanes. As the summer progresses and water temperatures in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico rise, the possibility of more damaging hurricanes increases.
Severe thunderstorms are always a possibility here in the Southeast, especially during the hot summer weather we often experience. It is wise for us to be alert for forecasts of severe weather and to be prepared for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes as well as hurricanes. All of these can bring high winds or heavy rain, causing downed trees or flooding, which result in property damage, power outages, or impassable roads. Ways to monitor the weather include having a NOAA Weather Alert Radio and a weather app on your phone. (Many local television stations provide these for free and include things like lightning alerts and storm warnings.)
We encourage congregations to think about being prepared in order to protect your property and be prepared to serve others in your community and beyond. One great resource is the Congregational Preparedness Guide prepared by Lutheran Disaster Response, which will help leaders in your congregation consider what disasters are more likely to affect your community and guide you in planning for those disasters. We would be glad to meet with your congregational council, property committee, or disaster team to help you develop your plan.
We also encourage individuals and families to be prepared at home. The first step is to make a plan. Consider how your family will learn about and respond to severe weather affecting your community.
Experts say that we should be prepared to be self-sufficient in our own homes for up to 72 hours in case of emergency. That allows time for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other disaster support to arrive and begin providing services following a major disaster.
We know that local first responders will be at work more quickly, but by planning to be self-sufficient, we help free up emergency resources for those in the most urgent need because of health conditions or damage to their homes caused by the disaster.
What does it mean to be self-sufficient for 72 hours? Simply put, it means that we should all be prepared with food, water, medications, emergency cash, and other essential supplies for our family (including pets). FEMA a great guide to help you build a kit for your household. Portions of that kit, especially the clothing, medications, and important documents, should be packed so that you can carry them out if you need to evacuate.
With your kit, you and your family will be well prepared for any disaster that might affect your community, and better able to help others in need.
How much difference can a hot dog make?
How would you raise money to help with disaster relief? While at the South Carolina Synod Assembly in Columbia early in June, a pastor came to us and asked if we could provide some materials for his congregation. They had already planned a hot dog cookout fund raising event for domestic disaster relief and wanted the funds to go to Lutheran Disaster Response, but they did not have any materials to give out.
Of course, if you saw our display at either the NC or SC Synod Assembly, you know we have plenty of materials from Lutheran Disaster Response and LDR Carolinas.
Not only did they have a great event and raise lots of money, but they were also able to get news coverage of the event which showed our LDR Carolinas brochure! You can watch the news clip here.
Not to miss a great opportunity to meet a congregation who is interested in supporting Lutheran Disaster Response, Pastor Ray went to the event to provide some additional information about LDR Carolinas and our work here, which is done thanks to a generous grant from Lutheran Disaster Response.
Our thanks to Pastor Hobby Outten and the congregation of Springs of Grace Lutheran Church in Inman, SC for their generosity and for a great cookout. Also, thanks to Thrivent for helping to support this event.
If your congregation would like to have a fund-raising event to support Lutheran Disaster Response or LDR Carolinas, please let us know. We can provide information, materials, and we’ll even show up if invited!
Synod Assembly Wrap Up
At the recent North Carolina and South Carolina synod assemblies, we had the opportunity to speak on stage for a few minutes about the work we are doing as coordinators for LDR Carolinas. We also chatted with many attendees about the work they are already doing in their congregations and communities or the questions they have about preparing for disaster. It is encouraging to know how many are already involved or interested in being involved.
Right now, we are doing what many organizations in VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) refer to as “blue-sky work.” This is the crucial work of preparation before disasters occur. The photo above with a dark cloud encroaching on the bright blue sky reminds me of the importance of this work.
Of course, potential disasters in the Carolinas are not just severe storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, or ice storms that come from clouds in the sky. Other natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and wildfires are possible. Sadly, there are also potential disasters which are caused – either accidentally or intentionally – by humans, such as train derailments, explosions or fires in manufacturing facilities, and events like the substation attack in Moore County, NC in December 2022, which caused an extended power outage. We need to consider which of these events are most likely to occur in our own communities to make the appropriate preparations.
Lutheran Disaster Response shares God’s hope, healing, and renewal with people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. The work of LDR Carolinas is a natural extension of our shared faith and our desire to share God’s love with others, especially in difficult times. Our work is focused in two specific areas: helping congregations prepare for disaster and creating a network of resources across North and South Carolinas.
Helping congregations prepare for disaster includes working with rostered ministers and lay leaders to develop a plan to respond to disaster, identifying or developing congregational resources, and coordinating with local organizations.
Creating a network of resources includes identifying churches with disaster plans, as well as those who can provide emergency shelters and other community resources. Identifying individuals with the skills, experience, and a desire to help, and making connections with other organizations that respond to disaster are crucial.
If you (or someone from your congregation) completed a Congregational Preparedness Survey and returned it to us during the synod assembly, you have taken the first step in becoming part of this network! If you have not completed a survey yet, you can download one here and email it back to Ruth Ann Sipe at [email protected]
We are planning to hold regular Zoom meetings for anyone interested in learning more about our work together. Look for an invitation in your email or in the synod e-news to join us for the first meeting.
Many of those at one of the synod assemblies also used one of our solar charging stations to charge their phones or other electronic devices. These stations, which can be recharged by AC power or with a solar panel, are available to provide emergency power in case of a power outage. Many also asked about purchasing one for your congregation or personal use. For more information, contact Ray Sipe at [email protected] .
Please contact us if you have other questions or would like one of us to meet with your congregation or conference to discuss disaster preparedness!