NC Disaster Response teams continue to respond to the October 2015 SC flooding, the worst in over a century. Record rainfalls and broken levies left many areas in central SC under water. The situation along the Black River near Andrews SC remains dire for many residents. Teams continue to be needed.
Report from the Flooded Area
On Oct. 26, 2015, David Doe, with the Trinity UMC (Southport) Emergency Response Team (ERT) wrote this report about work of NCC ERTs in Andrews, SC:
“We checked in …. and were given an address of someone needing help. That day we carried soggy household items outside, ripped up carpet & padding, and removed baseboards. The second day we worked at a different home by treating the crawl space with disinfectant, and later worked at a different house where we ripped up wood floors. We returned to that home the next day to finish removing the floors and also removed cedar paneling & insulation. The same day, we joined an ERT team from Apex NC to remove furniture, drywall and misc. household items from yet another flooded home. At no time during this deployment were we in standing polluted water, like you may have seen newscasters doing on TV.
We slept at Trinity UMC church on air mattresses. There were showers, and a kitchen with some volunteers from the church serving some food. We brought food from home as well.
There’s so much to do, and if you saw the need, you would want to help. It’s sad and some people have lost everything.”
Thanks for Everyone Who Has Already Responded
We thank God for all who have already responded, including the following:
- Oct 10-11: An Emergency Response Team (ERT) of 10 did assessments in Horry County, SC, working alongside NC Baptist men.
- Oct 12-16: One ERT volunteer did assessments in Horry County, SC.
- Oct 14: Flood buckets were delivered to Georgetown and Andrews, SC.
- Oct 14-17: A Harbor District ERT of 4 did assessments and cleanup.
- Oct 19-22: Elm City ERT of 4 worked in Andrews, SC.
- Oct 20-24: Apex UMC ERT of 7-8 helped in Andrews, SC.
- Oct 20-23: Trinity UMC, Southport ERT of 4 worked in Andrews, SC.
- Nov 8-12: A team First UMC Washington, NC is scheduled.
- A team in being formed to work the work of Nov 16th, led by Dave Doe.
If You Would Like to Serve on a ERT to Help Flood Victims
Ann Huffman is the NC Conference Disaster Readiness Coordinator. She will place any group that is able to assemble. Volunteers need to be available to work three long days straight. More help is needed and greatly appreciated by the people of South Carolina. For more information or to volunteer your service, please contact Ann Huffman at 888-440-9147 (a direct #) or email her at anns.huffman@gmail.com or disasterresponse@nccumc.org. Churches and individuals wishing to make a financial contribution should designate the donation for NCC Advance #S-00176.