Situation Report
Update

Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne

September 17, 2004
Recent hurricane destruction in Florida. Credit: Melina Pavlides/CWS

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DR000015
(Relief and recovery for U.S. disaster survivors)

DR000163
(U.S. Church Property Damage)

DR000166
(Caribbean Disaster Response)

Alabama/Florida/Mississippi

The western portion of Florida Presbytery, which covers the panhandle, received the brunt of Ivan’s 130 mph winds. According to interim executive presbyter Joanne Hines, churches in the Pensacola area fared pretty well, although there is heavy tree damage throughout the area. She has not been able to reach, but is concerned about, the communities of Destin and Navarre. While we have yet to make contact with South Alabama Presbytery, significant damage is expected in the Mobile area. The presbytery office, located on the east side of Mobile Bay may also have been damaged. Mississippi and Sheppards & Lapsley Presbyteries report few problems in their regions, other than power outage and downed trees. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT) members Rev. Bill Neely and Rev. Alonza Washington will travel to the central Gulf Coast next week to express the care and concern of the broader church, assist in assessing the damage, and to help the affected presbyteries organize response efforts.

East Coast

The remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan are causing major flooding in Western North Carolina. Most of the members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville lack power and phone service. Several have experienced downed trees which have caused significant structural damage to their homes. One of Trinity’s members was killed when a tree crashed through his home. Downed trees, power lines, and flooding have made the roads in Henderson County all but impassable. Former PDAT member Rev. Bill Tiemann has been brought out of retirement and is working closely with Hunger Action Enabler Ginnie Stevens to organize the presbytery’s response. Flooding is also impacting presbyteries in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Caribbean

Hurricane Jeanne caused considerable damage in Puerto Rico as it cut a diagonal path across the island from southeast to northwest. Torrential rainfall has caused flooding along 10 rivers and some 50 roads remain closed due to landslides. Agricultural damage is extensive. Rev. Francisco Velazquez-Rodriguez, chair of the Synod’s Disaster Response Committee and member of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT), is struggling to make a complete assessment of the damage because of poor communications. The heaviest damage appears to have occurred in Northwest Presbytery. Jeanne is expected to strike the U.S. mainland next week.

Assessing the damage in the Caribbean and the Bahamas has proved to be a challenge due to the lack of communications. We have received a call from Rev. Maitland Evans, the General Secretary of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. He reports damage as severe, but they are still trying to reach folks to get full information. The church is working with the Caribbean Council of Churches to do assessment and put together an appeal and plan. Disaster training was held within the last two years with the council, and we know that there is strong capable leadership for this effort. We have not been able to reach anyone on Grenada. The Cuban Council of Churches is in the process of assessing and preparing an appeal. PDA staff provided training to the Cuban Council this past February. Once Hurricane Jeanne clears the Bahamas, a delegation from Tropical Florida Presbytery plans a visit to see how U.S. Presbyterian churches can be most helpful.

Grants to Date

The enormous impact of the tropical storms throughout the eastern third of the United States and Puerto Rico has put a sizeable strain on PDA’s financial resources. To date, grants have been issued as follows:

PDA has established the following special giving accounts to provide an opportunity for Presbyterians across the country to support the response. Please prayerfully consider making a financial donation for continued support of disaster survivors:

• DR000015 Relief and Recovery for United States disaster survivors
• DR000163 U.S. Church Property Damage
• DR000166 Caribbean Disaster Response