Disaster Response to Hurricane's Helene and Milton - What Can YOU Do?

During the first week of October, Hurricane Helene spread devastation in six United Methodist

Conferences in southeastern states. Then on October 9, Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida for a

second time. Among the worst areas hit, the FEMA designated disaster areas in North Carolina

includes more than 20 counties in the western part of the state and now parts of central Florida.

Please join us in our efforts to offer assistance, and keep those in affected communities in your

prayers.

The purpose of this letter is to ask your church to consider having a special offering to

assist UMCOR as they reach out to the impacted conferences. One hundred percent of your

gifts to UMCOR’s US Disaster Relief will go to the affected communities.

Please consider sending monetary donations through the links below. Money is what they need

most and is the more efficient use of donations when they can be purchased locally. This has a

more positive impact both on the cost of recovery efforts and benefits the local economy.

Your church may consider having a special offering one Sunday just for Disaster support -

additional information and materials here : https://umcmission.org/resources/

Disaster Response is at Annual Conference - June 6th - 8th, 2024. Come See Us!!

Rio Texas Disaster Response is at the Annual Conference this weekend - June 6th-8th at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. Stop by and learn how you can "Be Ready to Be There" when a Disaster strikes. Or visit our website : https://riotexasresponse.org/
#bereadytobethere, #ert , #SCJ, #weareallmethodist, #DisasterResponse

Tis the Season!! Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods….. PLAN AHEAD!

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below.  Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

  • Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)

  • Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)

  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert

  • Flashlight

  • First aid kit

  • Extra batteries

  • Whistle (to signal for help)

  • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)

  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)

  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

  • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

  • Manual can opener (for food)

  • Local maps

  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Consider these additional items as well, based on your needs.

  • Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces

  • Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.

  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives

  • Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution

  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream

  • Pet food and extra water for your pet

  • Cash or traveler's checks

  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container

  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Matches in a waterproof container

  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

  • Paper and pencil

  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

ERT’s respond to hail damage in Dilley, Texas

Early Response Team members responded to the damage incurred recently in Dilley, Texas. Softball size hail impacted a region of approximately 4 miles in the heart of the rural community about an hour south of San Antonio.

Working with the local authorities and Pastor Rhonda Gonzalez of the Dilley Bethania Methodist Church , they were able to tarp roofs and cover windows to prevent further damage.

Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Committee Prepares for 2023

The Rio Texas Conference Disaster Response Committee met on December 3rd to prepare for 2023. Status of ongoing projects were discussed. Items of business, including a Financial Report and Budget approval, were taken care of.

Discussion over the upcoming South Central Jurisdiction “Mission Academy” in San Antonio on Feb 26-28th and plans for committee members to attend, was positively received. Followed by an in depth conversation on how to better promote our efforts and increase recruitment.

Though 2022 did not see a local large disaster event (Hurricane), we need to be as prepared as possible, as it is a matter of time. Being prepared and participating in smaller scale events, such as flood recovery, wildfire clean up and securing tornado impacted roofs, will keep us ready to be there. #BeReadytoBeThere

Attending Rio Texas Disaster Response Committee Members:

Front - Rick Mergen, Larry Etter

Center - JoAnn Lieberman, Javier Leyva, Gene Hileman, Larry Altman, Roland Pecina, Larry Rice

Back - Abel Vega, Jack Foreman, Jim Street, Whitney Maupin via Zoom

Photo by Leslie Ricks

Texas Governor Renews Drought Declaration

On Oct 29th, Texas Governor Greg Abbott. reissued the Drought Disaster Declaration for most counties in Texas. It is estimated that approximately 15'“-20” of rain is needed to break the drought. Though the threat of wildfires is great, it is hopeful that this rainfall does not come all at one time. This increases our chances for serious flooding.

Emergency Response Team members are trained to respond quickly following an event. They provide a Christian and Caring presence along with helping hands to disaster victims. ERT’s assist in all types of disasters including Hailstorms, Floods, Wildfires, Tornados and Hurricanes.

ERT’s can train as individuals or as a team. Our Trainers can come to your facility or create a training event in close proximity to several individuals. If you are interested in becoming an ERT, please visit the training link on this webpage. Or email capital@riotexasresponse.org or TRAINING@riotexasresponse.org.

For general questions, please email AEHILEMAN@riotexas.org .

ERT's assist a Family devastated by Flood Waters

While the rain appeared to be nothing unusual when this family looked out the window, upstream a Disaster was brewing. Heavy rains along the Gonzales/Wilson county line was causing the stream behind their house to rapidly rise. Within minutes water was entering the house and the home owner rushed his family to escape down their road. Fortunately, all were able to make it out safely, but their home sustained significant water damage. ERT’s were able to remove the wet, soggy drywall and enable the family to return to their home from their temporary shelter.

Rio Texas ERTs Deploy to Saipan Following Super-Typhoon Yutu

“After traveling by air for twenty hours, you have lost a day at the International Date Line and still have another flight to go … And yet, this is still considered US Disaster Response?”
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“Super Typhoon Yutu made landfall in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and brought maximum sustained winds of 150 – 180 mph (290 kph) and gusting to 220 mph recorded around the eye of the storm. The eye of the storm passed directly over southern Saipan and engulfed the entirety of Tinian just before 2 am on October 24 and 25, 2018. It is the most powerful storm to make landfall on U.S. soil since 1935.”

In early 2019, UMCOR along with other disaster Response organizations, was asked to help supply volunteers to respond to Saipan, after the tiny US Commonwealth was hit by Super-Typhoon Yutu in October 2018. Due to the lack of qualified volunteers on the island, the California Pacific (Cal/Pac) Conference put out a nationwide call to Early Response Team (ERT) volunteers for help. Since early 2019, the Rio Texas Conference has sent 8 volunteers on 4 different teams to help. Through the end of August, 12 teams of 6-8 members have been formed from ERTs from coast-to-coast, each working for two weeks at a time. Normally ERTs deploy for no more than three days at a time.

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The work being done by these teams isn’t normal ERT work either. Normally, ERTs don’t do any rebuilding, but rather focus on stopping the damage in the immediate aftermath of disasters. In this case, the teams are doing just enough repairs to make the homes livable since there are no other options available. Work includes replacing roofs, doors & windows, along with some basic plumbing and electrical restoration. Because they are all UMCOR trained, they come with the same baseline knowledge and expectations as far as dealing with disaster survivors – an important aspect of disaster response.

The work is managed and overseen by FEMA Disaster Case Managers and logistics staff on the island.  Supplies are made available through FEMA and through local purchases with funds provided by a local non-profit. 

“Teams deployed to Saipan support FEMA’s Voluntary Organizations Leading and Organizing Repair (VALOR) Program, which was first used in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. In both Puerto Rico and Saipan, the enormity of the damage necessitated that temporary repairs were made in order to allow survivors to safely remain in their homes until permanent repairs can be made.”

The FEMA contract for continuing work under the VALOR program is scheduled to end in October 2019, but may be extended, due to the remaining needs on the island.  Believing that it will be extended, the Cal/Pac Conference is still recruiting additional teams through April 2020.  For more information on the experience, contact any of the Rio Texas Conference ERTs who have gone:

For more information on the experience, contact any of the Rio Texas Conference ERTs who have gone:

Leslie Ricks (FUMC Pleasanton)

Larry Rice (Spring Creek UMC)

Randall Browning (Spring Creek UMC)

Cindy Moore (FUMC LaFeria)

Keith Sams (Dripping Springs UMC)

Cliff Scates (Dripping Springs UMC)

Ginnie Street (Dripping Springs UMC)

Jim Street (Dripping Springs UMC)

If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information, you can contact the Linda Wilson, Saipan Team Coordinator at lwilson6215@gmail.com

                   An UMCOR Partner Agency

                   An UMCOR Partner Agency