Responding to Flooding in the Central United States
Flooding in Peru, Nebraska. Courtesy of Beth Byrne, Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska.
Supporting the Response to the Flooding in Nebraska
Web Statement
April 16, 2019
Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska in response to the severe flooding, devastating parts of the Central US. It was caused by snow melt, spring rain and levee breaches overflooding river banks last month.
People displaced by the flood damage will receive emergency supplies such as food, gas and clothing to people. Episcopal Relief & Development is providing logistical support to the affected diocese as they continue to assess the needs of their communities and to formulate response efforts.
A winter of record snowfall and strong early spring storms caused historic floods in the Missouri River Basin, destroying public infrastructure such as dams and bridges, as well as private homes, crops and farms in early March. Governor Pete Ricketts called the flooding the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster team has been in close contact with diocesan staff in Nebraska and Iowa since the flooding first began. The Rev. Canon Carl Andrews and The Very Rev. Canon Michael Bamberger, trained volunteer members of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Partners in Response and Resilience, visited Nebraska and Iowa the week of April 7 to help diocesan leaders conduct assessments of the damage caused by the flooding and to identify both immediate and long-term needs of communities. Bamberger and Andrews visited Freemont, Nebraska, which had been cut off from outside access for several days due to the floods and resulting damage, and the village of Winslow which had been completely evacuated and was still under three feet of water. They also visited Bellevue, Valley and Plattsmouth, Nebraska and Shenandoah, Iowa. They provided resources such as guidance on organizing a Diocesan Disaster Leadership Team to provide structure to the diocese’s response efforts in Nebraska. Leadership is continuing to evaluate and discuss long-term response plans in both Nebraska and Iowa.
“Carl and Michael were able to see firsthand the damage from and impact of the flooding on these communities and the church’s willingness to respond,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director, US Disaster Program, for Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are grateful to them for providing their expertise as we continue to partner with diocesan leadership to develop long-term response strategies to these floods.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting the Diocese of Nebraska through emergency supplies such as food, gas, gift cards and clothing. Additionally, with the organization’s support, the diocese is expanding existing food bank services to provide assistance to 200 households.
Please continue to pray for those impacted by this emergency. Donations can be made to the US Disaster Response Fund to support Episcopal Relief & Development’s response to the flooding.
For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
Providing Ongoing Assistance After Flooding in the Central United States
Web Statement
April 5, 2019
Episcopal Relief & Development continues to provide emergency assistance and support after the historic and ongoing flooding in the central United States caused by spring snowmelt and rain in March.
The organization’s US Disaster team has been in close contact with dioceses across the region over the past several weeks, conducting regional support calls and providing support. After consulting impacted dioceses, the staff is preparing to send members of the Partners In Response and Resilience team to visit affected areas in Nebraska and Iowa. Partners In Response and Resilience are a volunteer group of experts who support church leaders as they discern their role in the recovery process.
The Rev. Canon Carl Andrews and the Very Rev. Canon Michael Bamberger, volunteer members of the Partners in Response and Resilience, will visit the Episcopal dioceses of Nebraska and Iowa during the week of April 7. They will provide support and assistance to diocesan leaders to help them discern the next steps for their response efforts. Andrews and Bamberger will visit Fremont and Bellevue, two communities in Nebraska that have been significantly impacted by the flooding. They will also connect with the Fremont County Disaster Recovery Center in Iowa to learn about the various ways that community groups are responding.
“Although floodwaters are receding in some areas, it is early in the spring flooding season and we are supporting dioceses as they prepare for additional snowmelt and rain in the coming weeks,” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster team. “Carl and Michael are both experienced in responding to disasters and will be able to help the dioceses to assess needs and to plan their responses for this season and in the years to come. We are grateful for the partners’ guidance and look forward to seeing how we can continue to support the impacted dioceses.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is also providing emergency supplies such as gas cards, groceries and propane to the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota to support the flood relief response in four indigenous communities in South Dakota. Please continue to pray for those who have been impacted by the floods. Donations can be made to the US Disaster Response Fund to support this emergency.
For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
Supporting Response to the Flooding in South Dakota
Web Statement
March 27, 2019
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota in response to the disastrous flooding caused by spring snow and rain earlier this month.
This historic flooding has destroyed property across the central United States. Several indigenous communities, including Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River and Santee Yankton Mission, have been particularly impacted due to limited resources and infrastructure on the reservations. Some residents have been stranded in their homes for more than two weeks. Temperatures are expected to rise which will likely cause additional flooding as snow melts.
The Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota, with support from Episcopal Relief & Development, is providing emergency supplies such as gas cards, groceries, and propane to those impacted by the flooding, which has exacerbated long-standing issues. Many churches in this area have strong community relationships and connections to local businesses, allowing them to meet the needs of their neighbors rapidly by increasing the scale of existing ministries when disaster strikes.
“Episcopal Relief & Development continues to be in contact with our partners, not only in South Dakota, but throughout the affected regions, as they determine the needs of their communities,” said Tamara Pummer, Program Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development. “The disaster is ongoing and these supplies are just the beginning. Traditional spring flood season is still a month away so we are preparing for whatever needs may come.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with dioceses throughout the Central United States and stands ready to respond. Please continue to pray for those who have been impacted by the floods. Donations can be made to the US Disaster Response Fund to support this emergency.
For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
Responding to Flooding in the Central United States
Web Statement
March 20, 2019
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting Episcopal dioceses that have been impacted by the record-breaking flooding in the central United States this week.
Historic flooding caused by spring rains and snowmelt have destroyed homes and property throughout the midwest, causing millions of dollars in damage. In some areas, river levels rose more than 10 feet past flood level. As of Wednesday morning, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin have declared states of emergency and at least four people have died from the floods. While water levels are beginning to slowly recede, additional rain is in the forecast and rivers are expected to remain flooded into next week. Mandatory evacuations are in place in many areas.
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting dioceses on potential response efforts to the catastrophic flooding. The US Disaster team has reached out to diocesan leadership in each of the affected areas and continue to monitor the situation in these communities, particularly in the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa which have experienced significant damage.
“Diocesan leaders are in the process of assessing the impact to their communities, while knowing that the full impact of this disaster is not yet complete” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Team. “We will continue to coordinate with affected dioceses and stand ready to support them as the gifts of the Church work to respond to the needs of their community.”
Please continue to pray for those impacted by the flooding. To support this emergency, donations can be made to the US Disaster Response Fund.
For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
Photos: Nebraska National Guard
