Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has deployed national response teams in Ohio and Missouri and is processing several initial support requests following a severe weather outbreak across the Midwest.
As news comes in of the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and South Carolina, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is organizing a response that will help sustain life and restore hope in the coming days. “Our hearts break and rise up in prayer for the people along the Atlantic coast and the inland areas of the Carolinas,” says the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, PDA director. “Right now, we need the church’s prayers and financial assistance.”
Residents of Houghton, Michigan are still cleaning up from the impact of heavy rains and floods over a week ago. The National Weather Service reports more than six inches of rain fell June 16-17, sending rivers and streams over their banks and causing significant damage to several main roads in and out of town.
The weather has not been good for the people of Malawi as they continue to struggle with food security issues. El Nino has caused severe droughts leaving millions with little food as the growing seasons have been thrown off course. When that happens, it causes a domino affect for both farmers and consumers.
The devastating impact of flooding and drought continue to cause heartaches for the people of Malawi. Officials with the Malawi ACT Forum are telling the Presbyterian Mission Agency that hunger in Malawi is growing despite relief efforts by government and various NGOs, especially in rural areas. Most markets have no maize to sell and the sporadic rain has people concerned that the 2016 harvest could be in jeopardy.
A weekend of torrential rain, tornadoes and flooding has left at least six people dead in Texas, along with dozens of flood-damaged homes and businesses. The Houston area is reporting up to a foot of rain since Friday. There were reports of at least six tornadoes touching down in communities to the south and east of Houston. More than a hundred water rescues have been reported.
It was described as the strongest hurricane on record, packing winds of 200 miles per hour. But Hurricane Patricia quickly lost strength as it made landfall over Mexico on Saturday. No casualties were reported after Patricia hit the Pacific coast, but authorities attribute that to the sparsely populated area that took the brunt of the storm. The mountainous terrain is also credited with quickly weakening the hurricane.
A group of Presbyterian Church officials recently returned from a trip to Malawi where they saw flood and drought ravaged communities and met people impacted by the crisis. Debbie Braaksma, area coordinator for Africa in World Mission, spoke with Presbyterian News Service about her visit and how people are being affected by the conditions.
At least nine people are reported dead in the latest update from South Carolina officials following this weekend’s torrential rains. The historic storm dumped six to 24 inches of rainfall across the state. Meteorologists are calling it a “1,000 year storm,” saying it had a one in 1,000 chance of ever happening. The heavy rains were the result of tropical moisture generated by Hurricane Joaquin, spinning out in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is describing the unfolding food shortage in Malawi as critical, urging Presbyterians around the world to pray and support efforts to help people in need. As a result The Malawi Mission Network, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Presbyterian World Mission are calling for a Day of Prayer and Fasting on World Food Day, Friday, Oct. 16, followed by a Day of Action on Sunday, Oct. 18, to collect contributions for food aid.