Hurricane Dorian updates from Bishop Eaton and Lutheran Disaster Response

Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas with devastating force, lingering over the islands for over 24 hours before moving along the southeastern coast of the U.S.

Now, one month later, while Georgia, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have reported that they came through Hurricane Dorian relatively unscathed, over 50 people have been reported dead with hundreds still missing and thousands left homeless in the Bahamas. Other issues, such as crippled infrastructure, closed businesses, and a tainted water supply, are exacerbating the impact to the community.

In North Carolina, many homes have been damaged and assessments are ongoing.

Response

In the Bahamas, Lutheran Disaster Response, in partnership with the synod and congregations, are providing immediate relief supplies such as water, food and non-food items, through Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. So far, about40,000 bottles of water and 8,000 lbs of food have been delivered.

In North Carolina, Lutheran Disaster Response, through, Lutheran Services Carolinas, the North Carolina Synod, and Georgia-affiliate, Inspiritus, helped facilitate volunteers to help with muck and gut projects, interior and exterior debris removal, roof-tarping and more. The volunteers logged about 970 volunteer hours, equating to nearly $25,000 in labor.

Lutheran Disaster Response stands ready to provide additional support to impacted communities in the Bahamas and North Carolina as needs are identified.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Please pray for the communities that have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.  You can find additional resources for worship here.

Give

We invite you to stand by all the communities impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Your gifts to Hurricane Relief ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those affected by this disaster for years to come.

Connect

To learn more and stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters:

  • Help spread the word in your congregation by sharing this bulletin insert.

  • Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

  • Visit our website at LDR.org.

  • Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.

  • Click here for information on volunteer opportunities.

  • To download a PDF version of this situation report, click here.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardClimate Change, Lutheran Disaster ResponseComment