| Hurricane Florence made landfall at 7:15 a.m. on Friday, September 14, 2018. Over the course of three days, the category one hurricane dumped nearly 18 trillion gallons of water onto the east coast. The estimated damage from the storm could range anywhere from $38 billion to $50 billion, not to mention the loss of 36 irreplaceable lives.
OUR PLAN
IDES’s response to hurricanes is very strategic. Before the event even occurs, we establish connections with local churches in the areas most likely to be affected. Once the storm passes and the damage has been assessed, IDES deploys our U.S. Disaster coordinators along with supplies (sheds, care kits, shower trailers, tools, etc.).
IDES U.S. Disaster coordinators are an essential part of our approach to disaster response. Not only do these team members provide expertise in the area of relief but they also help churches create a game plan for clean-up, volunteer management, and donation allocation. Once on site, our U.S. Disaster coordinators begin working in partnership with the churches to help them mobilize their communities and share the hope of Jesus Christ.
Meanwhile, back at our headquarters, our staff stays busy organizing volunteers and receiving monetary donations to be used at the disaster site.
Individuals who call IDES looking to go to the disaster site are put on a list and contacted once the churches we’ve partnered with are secure enough in their own capacity to begin accepting volunteers. We prefer that volunteers have gone through an IDES disaster response training before being deployed. You can learn more about that in the “Get Involved” tab of our website.
For those share monetary donations with us, we always like to emphasize that 100% of any designated gift goes towards the project costs (no operation percentage is removed).
Whether individuals are called to go, give, or pray, IDES is blessed to be able to connect those willing to serve with those who need serving.
WHAT IDES IS DOING NOW
IDES U.S. Disaster coordinators are currently deployed at Two Rivers Church in New Bern, North Carolina and are coordinating with churches in the Wilmington and Jacksonville areas.
Volunteers will be needed at these locations. If you would like to get involved with our Hurricane Florence relief efforts connect with us at volunteer. |
