Last month, as we were moving toward the end of this year’s hurricane season, I recall saying to someone that “the Atlantic is clear and the end of the 2012 Hurricane Season is in sight!” Even today, according to the National Hurricane Center’s view of the region, there are “no tropical cyclones at this time.” Unfortunately, between then and now there was an event that will go down in history as Super Storm Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record and the second most destructive in history.
Last month, as we were moving toward the end of this year’s hurricane season, I recall saying to someone that “the Atlantic is clear and the end of the 2012 Hurricane Season is in sight!” Even today, according to the National Hurricane Center’s view of the region, there are “no tropical cyclones at this time.” Unfortunately, between then and now there was an event that will go down in history as Super Storm Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record and the second most destructive in history. On October 29 Sandy landed just south of Atlantic City and merged with a nor’easter that was moving up the eastern portion of the US. As a result, coastal areas of New Jersey, New York and Long Island were devastated and, at one point, New York City was completely shut down. The combined storm caused a 14 foot storm surge along the coast, 24 inches of snow in West Virginia, and power outages as far west as Chicago. The silver lining, if there was one, was the fact that the actual wind and rain damage, while causing widespread power outages, was not as destructive as some had feared. Unfortunately, this is not very comforting to those who are still without power.
Just prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) conducted training for a new volunteer role for our program, Early Response Coordinator. Seven couples are now trained and ready to be activated at a moment’s notice. The timing couldn’t have been better for residents of New Jersey and New York. Rich & Pat Grasman went on the road within days, worked around issues with housing and gasoline lines, and began meeting with homeowners who were now returning to their devastated property. In some cases they were able to lend a physical hand, they prayed with others, and they provided valuable feedback for where our Rapid Response teams could best be used. The first Rapid Response team went on the road two days later, sleeping at the Christian Reformed Church in Midland Park, NJ and working in Little Ferry. They have since moved south and are now helping the people in Union Beach and sleeping at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary (RCA). Thanks Rich & Pat for your dedication and hard work! And thanks to our church in Midland Park as well as our friends at the RCA Seminary!
Early Response and Rapid Response are just two of the DRS programs that bring help to communities in North America that suffer the effects of disasters. Today we are responding to Super Storm Sandy, but at the same time we also have long term construction teams in Schoharie, NY (Hurricane Irene – 2011), Hyde County, NC (Hurricane Irene – 2011), Birmingham, AL (Tornadoes – 2011), Walker County, AL (Tornadoes – 2011), Cullman County, AL (Tornadoes – 2011), and we have a Needs Assessment team finishing up today in Greene and Columbia Counties in New York (Hurricane Irene – 2011). Finally, this week we have also had volunteers in our office conducting an abbreviated Needs Assessment by phone for a long term recovery group in Jacksonville, FL. A large portion of Florida suffered through the effects of Tropical Storm Debby on June 26 of this year (which was barely mentioned in the media). Much is being accomplished, and there is much to do. Your prayers, financial gifts, and willingness to volunteer are what make it all possible. Thank you!
In His Service,
