In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, flood water from the Tar River is well overflowing its southern bank. The river is cresting at about 20 feet.  For more info on this image, click here.

By Jim Truitt

161008-N-N0101-001 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 8, 2016) Hurricane Matthew makes landfall southeast of McClellanville, S.C. The category 1 hurricane is moving toward the northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue today. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will continue to move near or over the coast of South Carolina today, and be near the coast of southern North Carolina by tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Although weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Matthew is expected to remain near hurricane strength while the center is near the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 8, 2016): Hurricane Matthew makes landfall southeast of McClellanville, S.C. The category 1 hurricane is moving toward the northeast near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue today. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will continue to move near or over the coast of South Carolina today, and be near the coast of southern North Carolina by tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Although weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Matthew is expected to remain near hurricane strength while the center is near the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina. (U.S. Navy photo/Released). Learn more about this image: bit.ly/2dJgZCw

Here is the latest information coming out of the Southeast Jurisdiction (SEJ) regarding relief support from Hurricane Matthew.

I have contacted the South Carolina Disaster Response center and offered our support. I relayed our constraints, i.e. we’d have to fly in, rent vehicles and possibly join a local team. The hotline operator took all of our information and will pass it on to their Early Response Team (ERT) coordinator. She indicated someone would contact me as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to us on how to respond to those affected by Hurricane Matthew. At this point, we have received word from South Carolina and Haiti. Please see below for details.

  • South Carolina: Early Response Teams are being requested from all Jurisdictions. ERTs must have a trained ERT leader. The South Carolina Conference can help coordinate housing and food, but self-sufficient teams are also needed and welcome. To volunteer, please call 1-800-390-4911.
  • Haiti: At this time, UMCOR is strongly advising that all international teams please wait to send volunteers until Haiti has fully transitioned from the relief phase to the recovery phase. UMVIM will communicate any and all needs when recovery projects for volunteers become appropriate and available. Click here to read the full statement from UMCOR.

I will keep you posted as I learn more information.

Blessings to all of you,

Jim

Let’s go help some people!

To respond to this message, e-mail umvimdrc@pnwumc.org.

Jim Truitt serves as a co-coordinator for PNW United Methodist Volunteers in Mission. Like PNW UMVIM on Facebook.

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