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UMCOR sends $10,000 grant for Indiana flood relief

 


 

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A UMNS Web-only image by Julie Lautt

Floodwaters cover a road in East Ohio.

Feb. 2, 2005
 

By United Methodist News Service

 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has sent an initial $10,000 grant for emergency flood relief to the denomination’s South Indiana Annual (regional) Conference.

 

The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR’s U.S. disaster coordinator, said in a Jan. 31 interview that he expects to receive a grant request for the North Indiana Annual Conference as well.

 

Flood buckets and health kits also have been sent to the South Indiana Conference.

 

In early January, rainfall ranging from more than 2 inches in the north to more than 6 inches in the south combined with snowmelt to cause significant flooding from rivers and streams. More rain on Jan. 11 and 13 compounded the problem.

 

Nearly 2,000 residents in 62 Indiana counties have applied for federal aid because of recent storms and floods, the Associated Press reported Jan. 29. So far, about a third of the applicants have been approved, for a total of $1.75 million in aid.

 

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS Web-only image by Julie Lautt

With roads flooded, people in East Ohio resort to other ways of getting around.

Robert Babcock, South Indiana’s disaster response coordinator, pointed out that towns like Shoals, French Lick, Orleans, Hazleton and Spencer had been partially under water and that he had received many requests for assistance.

 

Hazelwood said the infrastructure developed by Indiana United Methodists to deal with last year’s tornados would be useful for flood recovery efforts. He expects the denomination will conduct long-term relief work in the state.

 

The floods hit neighboring states as well, and churches throughout the region responded. For example, Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ohio, allowed itself to be used as a Red Cross shelter.

 

“Having the church used as a shelter for our local Red Cross continues to make an impact on many lives,” Pastor Charles Martindell wrote. In addition to those seeking shelter, “the whole church family has been touched by this experience.”

 

Monetary donations earmarked for flood relief can be made to UMCOR’s domestic disaster fund and placed in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #901670. Credit-card donations can be made online at www.methodistrelief.org or by calling (800) 554-8583.

 

New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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