We have wind damage in several places across the conference and potentially very severe damage in some areas. Please be sure your pastor or church leaders pass along any information to the District Office on damage to churches and/or community. The first few days after a disaster are reserved for official personnel (police, fire, etc.) for search/rescue and restoration of basic safety. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others have the major responsibility to provide shelter and food.
As the community assesses its damage, then, specially trained volunteers would be the first let in to do any debris removal or tarping beyond the "neighbor to neighbor" aid that has been occurring. A week or two after the disaster, more general cleanup volunteers might be needed. In most cases, cash donations are the easiest for district and local response to use for immediate needs, which change on an hourly basis. The Conference Disaster Response Team will make some emergency funds available immediately for affected districts to provide for unmet needs.
You can find contact information for the district offices at http://www.tnumc.org/DISTRICT_OFFICES/. If you have an urgent need and cannot reach your District Supt., until Monday you can reach Rev. Jason Brock, Conference Disaster Coordinator at 615-293-8594. On Monday please call 615-329-1177 before calling the mobile number. Periodically, he will check messages at JBrock@tnumc.org.
Updated information on the disaster, needs, and contact information will be posted at http://tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/
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