From across the country, we witness the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene as search and rescue operations continue and response efforts grow in the Southeastern U.S.
“With wind damage to homes; downed trees and power lines; flooding; and collapsed highways, roads and bridges, Helene, as a tropical storm, has likely been the most catastrophic storm that this region has ever experienced,” said Leslie D. Louis, Carolina Conference president, in a Facebook update.
Louis, in his Sept. 30, 2024 Facebook posting, reported that Mount Pisgah Academy is closed for two weeks as power and water are anticipated to be restored to the area. One church — Swannanoa Spanish Church — suffered severe damage and will undergo a major reconstruction operation.
“While we are grateful that there were no known casualties in our churches from the recent storm, our heartfelt sympathies extend to many in our communities who lost loved ones in this devastating event,” Louis said. “It is in times like this that we cling to the assurance that our gracious God has provided for us in His promise: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,’ (Isa. 41:10).”
Phil Wilhelm, Fletcher Academy principal, titled his weekly Fletcher Focus e-mail for Sept. 30 with a single word: “Unprecedented.”
“My mind is boggled at the destruction that has occurred all around our school. Despite being relatively protected from the effects on the campus, the chaos all around us is a bit overwhelming,” he wrote. “So many people have wells that require power to pump water out, and their supplies are either gone or almost gone. Stores can’t open yet without power and supplies. People are still trapped in their homes, especially those who live far off the beaten path. Many homes and businesses near a creek or river have been flooded. Others are trapped by washed-out bridges and culverts.”
Wilhelm further reported that almost all dormitory students had made it home. CERT-trained students from Highland Academy and 2Serve volunteer crews were on site to aid with response efforts. Carolina Conference Community Services is also actively responding to local needs.
The Fletcher Academy community rallied, Wilhelm shared, to provide the school with a loaned Starlink and then a gifted Starlink to allow satellite internet communication for coordinating efforts through a local command center.
W. Derrick Lea, North American Division Adventist Community Services executive director, reported in an update on Oct. 1 about various response efforts throughout Southeastern states.
“South Atlantic and Carolina Conferences have decided to work as one, as the affected area is too large for one single conference to cover,” Lea shared. “This partnership has been extremely effective and both South Atlantic and Carolina Conference volunteers have risen to the call as we away goods and a building to house them in for distribution.”
A distribution site in Ashville, North Carolina, was later secured on Oct. 1.
Lea further shared how Georgia Cumberland Conference is currently setting up a warehouse in Georgia in addition to operating two shower trailers for state of Georgia shelters run by American Red Cross.
Elsewhere, Florida and Southeastern Conferences are also working together to aid in response efforts in the state of Florida.
“Please keep us in your prayers, as the work is just beginning and will go on for months and months,” Lea said. “We understand this will be a long-term recovery effort and we’re securing names of conferences and people that are interested in helping in the future.”
Derek Lane, Washington Conference ACS-DR director, plans to stay connected with Southern Union Conferences about ways Pacific Northwest volunteers can be supportive in long-term recovery needs.
“Tune in for updates from disaster response leaders on the most appropriate ways to begin response and recovery efforts,” Lane said. “We are NOT in the Recovery Phase yet, we are actively responding (search and rescue efforts, setting up shelters, providing emergency rescue, etc.) We are encouraging individuals to refrain from traveling to the affected areas at this time.”
Lane continued, “If you have received Community Emergency Response Team or Emotional and Spiritual Care training and would like to assist, we encourage you to be on stand-by on how best we can mobilize our efforts if needed. Check periodically at [your] conference website on additional ways we can assist.”
ACS posted the following message on their website: “ACS Disaster Response is actively responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. We are setting up relief centers where people can receive essential supplies. Your contributions, prayers and support make a real difference. Together, we can bring hope and healing to the affected communities.”
Financial donations can be made at communityservices.org. In-kind donation needs are currently not specified. Trained Adventist Community Service and disaster response volunteers are encouraged to connect with their local conference ACS director for further opportunities to assist.
Adventist Community Services and Disaster Response volunteers are activated in Valdosta, Georgia.
