Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to hurricane Floyd
By Stan Hankins, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, September 20, 1999
While Hurricane Floyd failed to live up to its billing as the “Storm of the Century,” it did cause widespread damage along the entire east coast of the United States. Floyd claimed at least 16 lives, damaged thousands of homes, uprooted trees, and caused extensive flooding. The storm dumped almost 20 inches of rain in parts of North Carolina, prompting Gov. Jim Hunt to describe the ongoing flooding as the worst in the state’s history.
An initial report from New Hope Presbytery Executive Barbara Campbell-Davis indicates flooding at Westhaven Presbyterian Church and the presbytery office in Rocky Mount, as well as First Church Greenville. Due to the extensive flooding, PDA has been unable to make contact with the staff of Coastal Carolina Presbytery. Scott Cupp in the Synod of the Northeast reports that the steeple of Imani Community Church in Trenton, NJ fell through the roof and sanctuary floor, crashing into the boiler. On a brighter note, Bound Brook Presbyterian Church in New Jersey is serving as a shelter for evacuees.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is rushing $50,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to both New Hope and Coastal Carolina presbyteries and stands ready to provide additional financial assistance to other affected presbyteries as damage assessments become available.
Presbyterians may respond financially by designating gifts for Hurricanes/Tropical Storms ’99, #9-2000143. As soon as the flood waters recede, volunteer work teams will be needed for clean-up, repair, and rebuilding. Please call PresbyTel at 800-872-3283 to register your team. Presbyterians wishing to provide material donations are encouraged to assemble “Gift of the Heart” kits. Information on kit contents and shipping instructions is available through PresbyTel.