UCC issues appeal for those impacted by widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene

The United Church of Christ has launched an appeal and opportunities to support recovery efforts following the devastating path Hurricane Helene has left across the Southeast United States.

Now four days after hitting landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, Helene has caused a death toll of at least 120 people and hundreds still missing across the six states impacted. People in affected areas have faced communications blackouts, washed-out roads, mudslides, and a lack of drinkable water. 

“We’re still in the process of gathering information from many communities struggling with power outages and limited connectivity,” said Katie Howe, UCC minister for Disaster Response and Recovery. She has been closely monitoring the impact, with Disaster Ministries in contact with conference staff in the Southern, Southeast, and Florida Conferences as they work to communicate with local congregations and identify needs.

“Our hearts break for those who are suffering from the devastation Hurricane Helene left behind,” said the Rev. Shari Prestemon, Acting Associate General Minister and Co-Executive of Global Ministries. “The shock and loss so many are now experiencing is immense, and recovery will be agonizingly slow. Our prayers, our giving, and our service will be needed for the long term as we accompany communities on their journey toward healing and hope.”

Support to rebuild

The Category 4 storm, powered by high-water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, brought a devastating 20-foot storm surge and 140 mph wind, leaving over two million homes and businesses without electricity and causing at least $145 billion in damage. Three UCC church buildings on Florida’s Gulf Coast are known to have suffered significant damage from floodwater, high winds, and heavy rain.

Andrew Long-Higgins, team leader of UCC Global H.O.P.E., described the importance of meeting the immediate needs of communities most impacted by Helene with shelter, food, debris removal and clean up services, hygiene kits, and – in some cases –drinking water.

“It is impossible to adequately describe what it is like to have your entire life turned upside down, and quite literally washed away,” he said. “As important as the response to these immediate needs is, these communities will also need dedicated and sustained long-term support as they rebuild. We know from other large-scale disasters that months and years after the initial disaster fades from the headlines, impacted communities will still be picking up the pieces and rebuilding. While there is still a lot we are learning about the complete picture of the storm’s devastation, we know for certain that recovery from Helene will be a long, potentially multi-year, process.”

How to help now

The UCC Appeal for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts invites people to offer monetary contributions toward hurricane relief, and/or to join volunteer efforts with Crisis Cleanup phone banking – which allows people to remotely assist with connecting crisis need to relief services – and for assembling hygiene and cleanup buckets.

“People want to know how to help right now when so much has been said about the devastation, and phone banking volunteering is one important way to get involved, because it allows you to connect the people who have need with the people who are able to offer immediate recovery resources,” Howe said.

She highlighted that Helene has struck almost exactly on the two-year anniversary of the destructive Hurricane Ian, which has left some still-recovering areas subject to new damage. Many of the communities impacted by Helene were also impacted by Hurricane Debby earlier this year. And hurricane season continues through the end of November.

“Recovery following Helene is going to be a long journey, and one where we stay in close collaboration with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) to ensure that we are working in coordinated efforts to meet the needs of communities impacted and fill gaps where needed,” Howe said.

Global H.O.P.E. offers Solidarity Grants for UCC entities to provide services that meet community needs following a disaster, as well as Disaster Long-Term Recovery Seed Grants to assist disaster survivors by supporting the formation of a community-led Long-Term Recovery Group.

“Our churches often remain a presence of disaster response in their local communities long after many other volunteer organizations have left,” Howe said. “It’s a way of living out our commitment to love our neighbors.”

Prayer in the aftermath

Prestemon has offered the following prayer in response to Hurricane Helene:

O God of infinite grace and generous love, our hearts tremble to see the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene. We lift our prayers to you.

Hold close all those whose homes and communities, businesses and places of worship have been overcome by water and wind, who awakened to upended lives and tossed landscapes.

Grant your blessing to all those who will rush to help and heal in the immediate aftermath, to all those who will follow over time to recover and repair what has been lost.

Stir resilience among all those who will walk the long road to full recovery. Receive their tears. Absorb their shock. Console their grieving hearts.

Resurrect what’s been broken and destroyed. Illuminate paths to the future when exhaustion and desolation overwhelm.

Move all of us to respond with hearts of compassion, acts of service, and generous giving.

O God, hear our petitions. And let our prayers endure and our response be sustained until fresh hope arises from the ruins. Amen.

Find the UCC Appeal for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts here.

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