Hurricane Florence Response: Report to General Assembly

Hurricane Florence Response: Report to General Assembly

Report on 2018 Hurricane Florence Response,
presented by David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator,
to the General Assembly of the OPC
June 7, 2019

The much-forecasted arrival of Hurricane Florence finally occurred on September 14, 2018, in Wrightsville Beach, NC, as a Category 1 hurricane. Florence caused a storm surge of as much as ten feet above sea level in New Bern, NC, causing the Neuse River to overflow its banks and sweep into this historic town. Wilmington, NC, experienced a record-breaking storm tide at 3.6 feet above high tide on that same day. Florence was a slow-moving storm and proceeded to dump up to thirty-five inches of rain on the entire state of North Carolina and most of South Carolina, much of that water then flowing back toward the ocean and causing the already burgeoning waterways to crest many days after Florence had moved on. Due to such flooding, the city of Wilmington was cut off from the rest of the state for almost a week.

As has been stated in recent reports, the CDM has been encouraging presbyteries to take on more ownership of disaster preparedness and response efforts. Thankfully, the Presbytery of the Southeast (PSE) has taken that encouragement and is now one of the best prepared presbyteries in the OPC. Their presbytery diaconal committee was able to build on the foundation of disaster preparedness previously laid in the presbytery. (Each church has a disaster response coordinator identified, and a system in place to keep track of its members before, during, and after a cataclysmic event). As such, under the able leadership of Mike Cloy (elder, Reformation OPC, Gastonia, NC) and Tim Hopper (deacon, Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC), contact was made with all the churches of the presbytery days before Florence even struck, an accounting of all members was completed (i.e., which families left and which were sheltering in place), and contingency plans were established.

A team of seven (five brothers and two other men) from four states arrived in North Carolina before the storm hit, equipped with emergency rations and equipment. They staged their gear in a warehouse in Wilmington, NC, and then assisted in checking on affected OPC families before the storm. This disaster response team (“DRT,” as they affectionately became known), was able to accomplish much work in the name of Christ. This was a new stage of disaster response work for the OPC for which we give thanks, and from which we can learn how we might mimic such proactiveness in future disasters.

Tim Hopper prepared an excellent overview of this process in an article entitled, Ready for the Storm, published in the December 2018 issue of New Horizons. Tim concluded:

“The development of a response plan by the disaster response team and diaconal committee of the PSE, in conjunction with information from local church officers, allowed us to ensure that each of our church members was accounted for and property damages were assessed once the storm hit. We estimate that the work done by the disaster response team saved recipients over $100,000 in tree cutting, driveway and road clearing, tarping, pumping water, and demolition of flooded properties.”

Covenant OPC (New Bern, NC), and Trinity Reformed OPC and Heritage OPC (Wilmington, NC), all had families who suffered flooding and downed trees. For some, the flood waters entered their homes, requiring the costly process of opening walls and floors to kill the mold, clean, and dry out. Since the coastline of North Carolina has such a naturally humid environment, the process of drying out saturated homes was not an easy one. Thankfully, for many church members, the water level did not rise high enough to enter into their homes, but it did flow under their homes, getting trapped in the crawl space, depositing contaminants and creating a moist environment ripe for the spread of mold and other biological hazards. As such, much of the disaster response effort has been engaged in the effort to dry homes with the use of commercial dehumidifiers, purchased mostly with the use of a $10,000 gift donated to OPC Disaster Response for the express purpose of purchasing equipment. These efforts benefited very much from the expertise of Jim Flanagan (Covenant, New Bern), who providentially has decades of experience in disaster recovery work.

Feedback from homeowners posted on Tim Hopper’s Facebook page included:

“Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. You were a great witness for Christ everywhere you went.”

“Thank you so much for helping C. get this work done on her house - you have indeed been the hands and feet of Jesus to her.”

“Thank you so much for checking on our home. We are resting easier now knowing what's going on and what to expect when we come back. Praying for your safety.”

“Love that the OPC is there caring for its people in time of need!”

On September 22—28, 2018, the OPC Disaster Response Coordinator performed an initial assessment, visiting the affected churches, their officers, and as many affected families as possible. He quickly discovered how far apart the families of these churches live. In his six days on the ground, he was able to visit about fifteen homes, churches, or places of business of OPC members, but drove over 900 miles to do so. Distance has certainly proved to be just one of the complexities of the Florence disaster response efforts.

In preparation for welcoming volunteers, Maribeth Campbell (Matthews OPC, Matthews, NC), agreed to serve as the volunteer coordinator for Florence disaster response efforts. Each affected church in the area identified a hospitality coordinator to assist in providing food and lodging for volunteers: Sheila Theune (Covenant, New Bern), Alaine Hofland (Trinity, Wilmington), and Ellis Furst (Heritage, Wilmington). The ministry efforts in North Carolina have been blessed by receiving eighty-one volunteers from fourteen states in 2018. The names of the volunteers who generously gave of their time and talents are listed in the addendum to this report.

From the time that it was clear that OPC congregations had been affected, the Florence Disaster Oversight Committee (FDOC) was established. On this committee is represented the presbytery diaconal committee (chairman, Mike Cloy), the CDM (Seth Long), and each of the three affected OPC churches (deacon Scott Cormier, Covenant, New Bern), Matt Mitchell (Heritage, Wilmington), and Alec Liederbach (deacon, Trinity, Wilmington). The FDOC met by conference call six times in 2018.

In October 2018, Fred de Ru (Grace OPC, Wasilla, AK) was graciously released from his duties as site coordinator in Houston, which enabled him to relocate to North Carolina to take up the work of Regional site coordinator there. Fred, with his wife Brenda at his side, faithfully served in this capacity through the end of 2018, and continues to do so at the time of the writing of this report. The CDM gives thanks to the Lord for men such as Mr. de Ru, without whom these efforts would not be possible.

As of the time of this writing, the Florence disaster response efforts continue.

Disaster Response Leadership in North Carolina:

Regional Disaster Response Coordinator at beginning of hurricane:

• Tim Hopper, Deacon, Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC

Assistant Disaster Response Coordinator at beginning of hurricane:

• Mike Cloy, Elder, Reformation OPC, Gastonia, NC

Florence Disaster Operating Committee (FDOC):

• Chair: Mike Cloy, Elder, Reformation OPC, Gastonia, NC
• Scott Cormier, Deacon, Covenant OPC, New Bern
• Alec Liederbach, Deacon Trinity OPC, Wilmington, NC
• Seth Long, Elder, Neon OPC, Neon, KY
• Matthew Mitchell, Heritage OPC, Wilmington, NC

Site Coordinator:

• Fred de Ru, Deacon, Grace OPC, Wasilla, AK

Volunteer Coordinator:

• Maribeth Campbell, Matthew OPC, Matthews, NC

Hospitality Coordinators:

• Ellis Furst, Heritage OPC, Wilmington, NC
• Alaine Hofland, Trinity OPC, Wilmington, NC
• Sheila Theune, Covenant OPC, New Bern, NC

OPC Volunteers (to the best of our knowledge):

Brenda de Ru	Grace OPC	Wasilla, AK
Stacy Nelson	Bayview OPC	Chula Vista, CA
Les Miller	Covenant OPC	St. Augustine. FL
Jake Bailey	Covenant OPC	Buford, GA
Albert Davis	Covenant OPC	Buford, GA
Alex Dorr	Covenant OPC	Buford, GA
Ben Kitchen	Covenant OPC	Buford, GA
Christopher Lillie	Geneva OPC	Marietta, GA
Gregg Ratledge	Geneva OPC	Marietta, GA
Aaron Dorr	Grace Reformed OPC	Des Moines, IA
Tom Sills	Grace and Peace OPC	California, MD
Curt Sproul	Grace and Peace OPC	California, MD
Klaas Boerman	Chain O'Lakes OPC	Central Lake, MI
Rick Boerman	Chain O'Lakes OPC	Central Lake, MI
Justin Ennett	Chain O'Lakes OPC	Central Lake, MI
Robert Harmon	Chain O Lakes OPC	Central Lake, MI
Troy Harmon	Chain O Lakes OPC	Central Lake, MI
Tanner Beebe	New City Fellowship OPC	Grand Rapids, MI
Tom Boorsma	New City Fellowship OPC	Grand Rapids, MI
Trenton Eller	New City Fellowship	Grand Rapids, MI
Jason Schuringa	New City Fellowship OPC	Grand Rapids, MI
Alan Chupp	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
Jeff Davis	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
Brett De Boef	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
Micah Faber	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
Daniela Ruiz	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
Kibsy Ruiz	Cedar OPC	Jenison, MI
David Hitchner	Faith OPC	Pole Tavern, NJ
Mitch Carriker	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Jeremy Carriker	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Luke Fawcett	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Benjamin Laurie	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Mark Selles	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Wesley Selles	Matthews OPC	Matthews, NC
Vickie Baybutt	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Constance Baybutt	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Elisha Cormier	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Jim Flanagan	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Ash Guirgues	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Adler Guirgues	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Devin Phandara	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Mark Theune	Covenant OPC	New Bern, NC
Galen Boerema	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Juli Boerema	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Kate Boerema	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Patrick Juras	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Elanor Mericle	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Amy Sloan	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Emma Sloan	Pilgrim OPC	Raleigh, NC
Joel Clendineng	Grace OPC	Columbus, OH
Joe Fraunght	Covenant OPC	Mansfield, OH
William Mumea	Covenant OPC	Mansfield, OH
Adam Mumea	Covenant OPC	Mansfield, OH
Trent Davis	Knox OPC	Mt. Vernon, OH
Matthew Gertler	Knox OPC	Mt. Vernon, OH
Walter Robinson	Providence OPC	Chilhowie, VA
Jane Robinson	Providence OPC	Chilhowie, VA
Jason Hochstetler	Staunton OPC	Staunton, VA

Non-OPC Volunteers (to the best of our knowledge):

Aaron Crawford	Christ Church	Odenville, AL
Ben Greer	12Stone Church	Lawrenceville, GA
Ethan Dorr	Ocheyedan CRC	Ocheyedan, IA
Paul Childress	Columbia PCA	Columbia, MD
Mike Espey	Columbia PCA	Columbia, MD
Jeremy Weber	Columbia PCA	Columbia, MD
Ben Dorr		Minnesota
Chris Dorr	Dayton RPCNA	Dayton, OH
Bill Booth	Unity Community Church	Pittsburgh, PA
Steve Meyer	Unity Community Church	Pittsburgh, PA
Andrew Strano	Unity Community Church	Pittsburgh, PA
Steve Haney	Calvary Church	Souderton, PA

https://opcdisasterresponse.org/photo-gallery-disaster-response-volunteers-in-north-carolina/