Are you prepared for more storms and wildfires?
Disaster experts remind churches and individuals to plan ahead
LOUISVILLE — Deadly weather events in multiple states in recent days serve as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness, according to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Synod of the Sun Partnership for Disaster Recovery.
More than 40 deaths are being attributed to last weekend’s events, which included tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires, that wreaked havoc in states like Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least 109 tornadoes touched down in the U.S. during a three-day outbreak from March 14-16, according to the Weather Channel.
One of the hardest-hit states was Missouri, where at least 12 people died after multiple storms and tornadoes impacted dozens of counties, according to the governor’s office. There also were numerous wildfires in Missouri, including some that damaged structures.
It has been “a very impactful several-day period,” said the Rev. Dr. Jim Kirk, PDA Associate for National Disaster Response.
PDA is in the process of assessing needs in the affected areas with the help of regional networks and others.
“I'm reaching out to the presbyteries, and I'm working with our national response team members that are representing PDA on the state VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) in the states that were impacted,” Kirk said.
Fanned by high winds, more than 130 wildfires in 44 counties were burning in Oklahoma as of March 14. There have been at least four confirmed deaths and more than 400 damaged homes, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
At one point, First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, provided shelter for evacuees during the fires, said the Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, director of the Synod of the Sun Partnership for Disaster Recovery.
“Unfortunately, at least three members that I'm aware of from the pastor … have lost their homes,” and there’s a need for emotional and spiritual care, Lee-Cornell said.
The widespread fires and storms are reminders that no one is immune to natural disasters, especially during a time in history when climate change is impacting the number and severity of weather events, Kirk said.
With that in mind, it’s important for churches, other faith-based entities, families and individuals to be making disaster preparedness a year-round priority, he said.
One way to do that is by following steps in the Synod of the Sun Partnership for Disaster Recovery’s 12-step disaster preparedness guide, said Lee-Cornell, who noted that there are also resources available on such topics as building resilience and handling financial matters.
Some of the recommendations in the 12-step guide include making sure to have an up-to-date contact list since church leaders change from time to time. It’s important to know who is responsible for things like contacting the insurance company, she said.
Lee-Cornell also recommends using a cell phone to create a visual record of your property, making note of any important serial numbers. That way, if you’re impacted by a disaster, you don’t have to remember what was in the room.
For more information about disaster preparedness:
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is one of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Interim Unified Agency. Gifts to support PDA’s response to the storms can be designated to DR000015.
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