After Back-to-back Hurricanes Wreak Havoc, ACS Steps In to Help

About three weeks after Hurricane Helene—and a week after Hurricane Milton—swept across the Southeastern U.S., efforts to help residents affected by those two storms continue. Adventist Community Services (ACS) is one of the organizations that has mobilized to help. Their preparations began before the storms made landfall, and after the storms hit, the ACS Disaster Response (DR) teams assessed the impacted areas to determine where they could best serve. 

Rain and strong wind from Helene pounded the Southeast U.S., impacting the Carolinas severely with major flooding and mudslides—in some cases wiping out entire towns. The death toll from Helene has climbed to more than 250 people. The death toll from Milton currently stands at more than 20. More than 3.2 million people lost power across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and southern Virginia during Helene. Many are also without power in Florida as Milton barreled across the state, churning up at least 45 tornadoes and record storm surges. Power continues to be restored in those areas, but at least 1 million people are still without electricity as of October 12, and thousands of people do not have running water.

The states with the most significant storm damage are Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia. North American Division (NAD) ACS director W. Derrick Lea said that as of October 9, the NAD ACS and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) officially agreed that ADRA will contribute financially to the ACS efforts in the affected areas. “The NAD and the Southern Union will ensure that the use of this money is as intended and we thank our ADRA International partners for their support,” Lea said. “ACS and ADRA are uniting for one mission: to bring hope and relief to the hard-hit communities in the Southeast. ACS serves in the North America Division and ADRA works globally, but in times of extreme crisis, we unite as one body to serve and uplift those in need.”

Lea continued, “Through the Southern Union, we will identify the churches that will use the funding on immediate needs within the community. This assistance will ensure help is given now as the recovery continues.”

ACS DR teams from the Southern Union—Georgia-Cumberland, Carolina, South Atlantic, Southeastern, Florida, and Gulf States conferences—are deployed in the devasted areas. ACS teams from other parts of the country have mobilized as well, including, but not limited to, South Central Conference, Rocky Mountain Conference, and the North Pacific Union, all of which will send volunteers to assist as needed.

Lea shared some of the reports given by the ACS leaders on the ground in the affected areas, reporting that as of October 4, distribution sites and warehouse management are functioning in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Local ACS reports are summarized below.

Carolina Conference and South Atlantic Conference

These two conferences are working together as the affected area is too large for a single conference to cover. The ACS “strike team” is maintaining ACS distribution in Asheville, North Carolina. They received a 26-foot U-Haul truck from Fayetteville packed with supplies. They were on standby and ready to manage warehouse operations and distribution once the warehouse contract had been finalized. Two of the ACS warehouse management teams are in Mooresville. On October 5, distribution of supplies began at an Asheville site. “It has been profoundly a blessing to serve alongside so many wonderful people helping others. Amid this darkness there been light. It has also changed the lives of those who are serving,” David Graham, Carolina Conference ACS director, said. Donated items include water, baby products (formula, diapers, etc.), solar-powered charging stations, and MREs (meals ready to eat).

Georgia-Cumberland Conference

The conference was initially asked to set up a warehouse in Georgia. While details were still being finalized for the warehouse, two ACS shower trailers began operating at shelters run by the American Red Cross in Valdosta. Conference coordinators are now managing a large distribution site, and plans are in final stages to open and manage an additional multi-agency warehouse in Augusta. 

Florida Conference and Southeastern Conference

Working together the conferences opened a multi-agency warehouse in Ocala, Florida, for the state. The conferences are also partnering to operate four or five distribution sites at churches. “This will ensure that we have direct contact with the community we are serving in Florida,” Lea said. “As an organization, we are trying to encourage our leaders to always couple any warehouse we run with distribution sites set up by us. The public should know that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is serving directly in their community.” Churches are locations for distribution of supplies—First University church and Bethany church each received two trailers of supplies. Donated supplies from church members will be organized and secured for distribution at these and other churches.

“Activity is taking place, and ACS will stay connected in the local communities we are in throughout the year,” Lea said. “We are proud to be of support in these areas where we live, work, and worship. The need will continue for many months, we are grateful for all the support and prayers.”

The original version of this story was posted on the North American Division news site.