LCC Disaster Response LERT Teams Leaving Next Week to Aid in North Carolina Recovery

On Tuesday, September 25, Lutheran Church Charities spoke with the LCMS Southeastern District Disaster Response Coordinator Deaconess Sally Hiller. She has invited our LERT chainsaw team to respond in Wilmington and the surrounding area in North Carolina from October 6 – 14 with chainsaws, boom lift, and other heavy equipment, as well as masks and suits for muck out assistance. We will be working out of Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Timothy Steele. She reports that the coastal area of North Carolina will just be starting their recovery later this week as evacuation orders are being lifted.

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, shares that one of the pastors from Wilmington did return briefly to assess damage and describes it as "catastrophic. Trees down everywhere. Massive flooding and prolific mold." We have also been on FEMA calls and they reiterated that coastal North Carolina and South Carolina will continue to see rivers cresting and flooding communities.

Donate - Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Fund

Donate - Hurricane Florence K-9 Travel Fund

Unfortunately, Hurricane Florence flooding will be soon be affecting South Carolina by the end of this week. Myrtle Beach has been issued a mandatory evacuation order beginning tomorrow. Flood waters are expected to reach 10+ feet over flood stage by Friday morning, which will put water up to many roofs of homes and businesses. Deaconess Hiller stated, “the LCMS church there expects to be underwater by next weekend and a total loss. This has just been devastating to slowly watch water levels rise and homes being destroyed. But it is also good to see the church and people responding with help and love to those in need. But this will be a long recovery and help needed for quite some time.”
 
Lutheran Church Charities and our LERT teams are prepared to go to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. They have lost much and are in need of assistance from the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence.