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Members of the network met recently and discussed a wide range of topics related to disaster preparedness and response.   Our next meeting is planned for Monday, March 31 at 7 pm.   Sign up for the network here to receive updates about the network via email!

Wildfires

We have received several questions about wildfires. Due to dry, windy conditions, plus lots of downed trees, there have been many fires burning across both states. This situation will likely improve after the recent rain.  But there is still a statewide Burn Ban in place in SC and outdoor burning is discouraged in NC.

For more information on active fires, visit these state forest service websites:

• in NC https://ncfspublic.firesponse.com/
• in SC https://scfc.firesponse.com/public/

As always, if your congregation experiences damage or needs assistance due to a disaster including wildfire, please contact one of the LDR Carolinas coordinators!

Severe Weather and Flood Preparedness Week

This week – March 2 to 8 – is Severe Weather and Flood Preparedness Week in both North and South Carolina.  Statewide Tornado Drills were scheduled on Wednesday, but have been rescheduled to Friday, March 7 because of the severe weather forecast for Wednesday.  The authorities did want there to be any confusion if there needed to be actual storm or tornado warnings at the same time.   Please take time at home, in your congregation, and workplaces to make an emergency plan for sheltering when a Tornado Warning is issued for your area. 

The new date for these drills is Friday, March 7.  The statewide drill in SC will be at 9:00 am and the drill for NC will be at 9:30 am.  These will be routine tests on NOAA Weather Radio.  If you don’t have a NOAA Weather Radio, then set an alarm on your phone and pretend that it is the test Tornado Warning for your area. When your alarm is triggered practice your tornado plan. Participating in the drill is a great way to make sure you will be ready if an actual Tornado Warning is issued for your area. Take a few minutes to learn more about Tornado Safety Plans and other severe weather precautions on these webpages:

• in NC:  https://www.weather.gov/ilm/severeweathernc
• in SC:  https://www.weather.gov/ilm/severeweathersc

Helene Recovery

There are lots of opportunities to be involved in the long-term recovery following Hurricane Helene.  Here are some suggestions:

• Contact Amy Phillips at amy@ldrcarolinas.org for more information about sending a volunteer group to Western NC or contact bridges@ldrcarolinas.org for more information about helping replace private bridges.

• If you want to donate to Bridging Together, donate online or send your contribution to LDR Carolinas at 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury NC 28144.

• We are no longer collecting any kits or quilts, but welcome donations of gift cards to Walmart, Lowe’s, or Home Depot.   Those will be used to purchase tools and building supplies to repair homes.  Please send them to LDR Carolinas at 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury NC 28144.

Other

For those who want to read a firsthand account of surviving Helene, we recommend the book The Deep End of Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Helene: 40 Days and Nights of Survival and Transformation by Rev. Emma Churchman.  She and her husband live near Gerton NC, which was severely damaged by the hurricane.  This book also provides insight into providing emotional and spiritual support to disaster survivors.

The March/April/May 2025 edition of Gather, the magazine of the Women of the ELCA, includes an article about the work of Lutheran Disaster Response following Hurricane Helene.

Finally, thanks to everyone who submitted Congregational Preparedness Mini-Grants. We hope to reply to these congregations with grants to help complete these preparedness projects very soon! 

Many of us love to sing these familiar words

“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

  Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms…” (lyrics by Elisha Albright Hoffman).

But we may not feel quite so safe and secure from all alarms when a crisis or disaster happens.

LDR Carolinas wants to help you be prepared.  We are again offering Congregational Preparedness Mini-Grants (typically $500 to $750) to assist congregations in both the NC and SC Synods.  These should be used toward congregational preparedness projects, including security equipment, generators, AEDs, and first aid kits or training.  Applications are due by Friday, February 28. 

The Resilient Bridge Building Workshop, originally scheduled for January 6, 2025 has been postponed.  

Due to an issue beyond our control, we have postponed the workshop and will announce a new date as soon as possible.

Questions should be directed to:

Phil Helmuth, phil.helmuth@mds.org, 540-746-2068.