In the US, Southeastern Conferences Mobilize After Hurricane Helene

From across the country, we witness the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene as search-and-rescue operations continue and response efforts grow in the southeastern US.

“With wind damage to homes; downed trees and power lines; flooding; and collapsed highways, roads and bridges, Helene, as a tropical storm, has likely been the most catastrophic storm that this region has ever experienced,” Leslie D. Louis, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Carolina Conference, said in a Facebook update.

Louis, in his September 30 Facebook posting, reported that Mount Pisgah Academy in Candler, North Carolina, is closed for two weeks while power and water are restored to the area. One church in the area — Swannanoa Spanish company — suffered severe damage and will undergo a major reconstruction operation.

“While we are grateful that there were no known casualties in our churches from the recent storm, our heartfelt sympathies extend to many in our communities who lost loved ones in this devastating event,” Louis said.

“It is in times like this that we cling to the assurance that our gracious God has provided for us in His promise: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’ [Isa. 41:10],” he said.

Phil Wilhelm, principal of Fletcher Academy in Fletcher, North Carolina, titled his weekly Fletcher Focus e-mail for September 30 with a single word: “Unprecedented.”

“My mind is boggled at the destruction that has occurred all around our school. Despite being relatively protected from the effects on the campus, the chaos all around us is a bit overwhelming,” he wrote. “So many people have wells that require power to pump water out, and their supplies are either gone or almost gone. Stores can’t open yet without power and supplies. People are still trapped in their homes, especially those who live far off the beaten path. Many homes and businesses near a creek or river have been flooded. Others are trapped by washed-out bridges and culverts.”

Wilhelm further reported that almost all dormitory students had made it home. CERT-trained students from Highland Academy and 2Serve volunteer crews were on site to aid with response efforts. Carolina Conference Community Services is also responding to local needs.

The Fletcher Academy community rallied, Wilhelm shared, to provide the school with a loaned Starlink connection and then a gifted Starlink connection to allow satellite internet communication for coordinating efforts through a local command center.

W. Derrick Lea, North American Division Adventist Community Services executive director, reported in an update on October 1 about various response efforts throughout the southeastern states.

“South Atlantic and Carolina conferences have decided to work as one, as the affected area is too large for one single conference to cover,” Lea said. “This partnership has been extremely effective, and both South Atlantic and Carolina Conference volunteers have risen to the call as we amass goods and a building to house them in for distribution.”

A distribution site in Asheville, North Carolina, was secured on October 1.

Lea further shared how Georgia Cumberland Conference is setting up a warehouse in Georgia in addition to operating two shower trailers for state of Georgia shelters run by American Red Cross.

Elsewhere, the Florida and Southeastern conferences are also working together to aid in response efforts in the state of Florida.

“Please keep us in your prayers, as the work is just beginning and will go on for months and months,” Lea said. “We understand this will be a long-term recovery effort, and we’re securing names of conferences and people that are interested in helping in the future.”

Derek Lane, Washington Conference Adventist Community Services and Disaster Response director, plans to stay connected with Southern Union Conferences about ways Pacific Northwest volunteers can be supportive in long-term recovery needs.

“Tune in for updates from disaster response leaders on the most appropriate ways to begin response and recovery efforts,” Lane said. “We are not in the Recovery Phase yet; we are actively responding (search and rescue efforts, setting up shelters, providing emergency rescue, etc.). We are encouraging individuals to refrain from traveling to the affected areas at this time.”

Lane continued, “If you have received Community Emergency Response Team or Emotional and Spiritual Care training and would like to assist, we encourage you to be on stand-by on how best we can mobilize our efforts if needed. Check periodically at [your] conference website on additional ways we can assist.”

ACS posted the following message on its website: “ACS Disaster Response is actively responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. We are setting up relief centers where people can receive essential supplies. Your contributions, prayers and support make a real difference. Together, we can bring hope and healing to the affected communities.”

The original version of this story was posted on the North Pacific Union Conference’s Northwest Adventists site.