U.S. Disaster Alerts
 Rain still in forecast for Kansas and Oklahoma
July 7, 2007
Water receding in some areas; more flooding expected in others. Flooding is beginning to recede in Kansas and Oklahoma, where the Neosho River crested at the highest level since 1951 at Miami, Oklahoma. However, heavy rain of up to five inches over Tulsa County Thursday will slow the recession.
Tornado damage in KS 'unbelievable'
May 7, 2007
The United Church of Christ does not have any churches in the area impacted. The UCC will be working ecumenically with Church World Service and other ecumenical partners in response to the EF-5 tornadoes that struck the Mid-west this past weekend.
New Jersey Floods
April 30, 2007
Paul Bryant-Smith, UCC Disaster Response and Recovery Coordinator for the Central Atlantic Conference, is gathering information from UCC members in communities impacted by the recent flooding.
Update] WTC registry deadline six months away
February 23, 2007
If you or someone you know, spent time as a paid or volunteer worker at the World Trade Center site in New York; or were in the neighborhood following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, read this story and pass it on. The New York State Workers Compensation will accept registrations until August 14, 2007. You may be entitled to benefits even if you don't have symptoms currently. But you must register before the deadline.
Update from the Florida Conference on tornado recovery effort
February 15, 2007
On February 2, 2007 tornadoes went through central Florida to the east coast. Following is an update from the Rev. Karen Thompson, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery.
Florida Recovery Begins
February 5, 2007
Four Counties receive Federal Declaration
Tornadoes in Florida
February 2, 2007
Several counties experience tornadoes overnight that crossed several counties in Florida. The counties involved are Lake, Volusia, Marion and Sumter.
Hawaii Earthquake
October 16, 2006
At 7:07 am on Sunday, October 15, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake on Hawaii caused at least one landslide and knocked out power across the state.
Pennsylvania floods, clean up and a teddy bear.
July 11, 2006
Riegelsville is again cleaning up after a flood - the third in some 20 months for the small eastern Pennsylvania town next to the Delaware River. And St. John's is again helping residents cope with the aftermath of the flooding.
Floods and evacuations in Mid-Atlantic
June 29, 2006
From Ohio to the East Coast, flooding impacts communities. This rain disaster has stretched into its sixth day, killing at least ten people, straining dams, and shutting down roadways.
Landfill angers NOLA residents
June 27, 2006
Toxic debris near homes
Tornadoes wrench spirits, not just homes
April 11, 2006
Rural Missouri cleans up debris. Pastors are worried about emotional fallout as Holy Week begins. "We can rebuild sticks and cement and mortar," "What we can't always rebuild is the structure of a person's life.
Assessments trickle in after mid-west tornadoes
March 14, 2006
Early reports from Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas after mid-west tornadoes touch down.
Post-9/11 needs surfacing
February 22, 2006
In an ongoing effort to assist persons impacted by events of September 11, 2001, the United Church of Christ continues to work in partnership with the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (see NYCOSH web site for articles on work with the communities involved: www.nycosh.org/index_environment_wtc.html. Through the generosity of UCC members and friends we have been able to continue to support this work. In the year 2006 the UCC sent $100,000 to NYCOSH. Additionally, the UCC has supported the work of the New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS). The Rev. Martha Jacobs represents the UCC on the NYDIS Board. Below is an update on communities impacted. For Aaron Edelman, the effects of helping at Ground Zero after Sept. 11 were felt immediately - but it wasn't until this past September that he finally asked for help. Edelman, who was a union carpenter and volunteer rescue worker at Ground Zero, said he finally came forward because life was becoming unbearable. "I've worked quite a bit since Sept. 11, but it was less and less each year," he explained. "For the first year I didn't miss any work, I was a workaholic. But then it got worse. I only worked for six months last year. I didn't deal with my problems." He was suffering from mental and physical ailments - including post-traumatic stress disorder and severe respiratory issues. Besides not being able to work, Edelman said his problems also contributed to the end of a long relationship with his fiancee. Leading a regular life was becoming more and more challenging. In September, he knew it was time to get help. "I wasn't getting any better because I wasn't trying to get help," he said. Edelman went to the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program at Mt. Sinai Hospital. "Right now I'm getting everything diagnosed officially. I have a very severe case of asthma. I get out of breath after only walking one or two blocks. I have chronic sinus problems." He added that his PTSD was also officially diagnosed. Edelman was also connected to a social worker to help him with job training and financial help. Due to his medical problems, he is unable to continue with carpentry jobs due to the heavy workload required and due to being around any types of dust - something his doctor told him would kill him if he remained exposed. "My problem is that I can't breathe at all when I'm around dust - sheetrock dust, wood dust, anything," said Edelman. "It's just doing more damage to my body." He has powerful words about those who have helped him since September, noting that they've brought him back from the edge. The involved agencies - including New York Disaster Interfaith Services' Sept. 11 Unmet Needs Roundtable - helped him pay months of back rent. "I was getting evicted from my house and they got me financial help. They've helped me so much, I can't imagine where I'd be without them," said Edelman. Edelman is not alone in his struggles. Agencies in New York City are still addressing the needs of thousands recovering from Sept. 11. While the news media reports on the deaths of some Ground Zero recovery workers due to illnesses caused by their time there, some city disaster responders worry that the whole story is still not registering with the general public. "I think the diversity and scope of people who cleaned the site and have health problems due to that is not on the radar of the general public," said Maggie Jarry, director of disaster recovery and advocacy for New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS). "There's a great diversity to the populations of people who came here and cleaned up the site." While Jarry knows that there are many more workers like Edelman out there, she also noted that there is also a large immigrant population that also worked at Ground Zero. She and other responders are still doing outreach to various unions and minority organizations to let the populations know of the help available to them. NYDIS' S
EPA to sample for WTC dust
December 12, 2005
Modified plan a disappointment to local community in lower Manhattan.
Hurricane Wilma tears through Florida
October 25, 2005
One more Gulf hurricane wreaks havoc as the storm season continues Hurricane Wilma, a Category 3 storm, brought 125-mph winds and heavy rains to much of central and southern Florida, downing trees and flooding many communities.
New Hampshire town floods
October 14, 2005
'Huge wall of water' The United Church of Christ in response to the flooding in Alstead, New Hampshire has sent funds to assist the Third Congregational Church in providing shelter, food and water to members of the community who had to evacuate their homes.
Dennis moves inland after lashing Gulf Coast
July 11, 2005
Presidential declaration issued for Florida, Mississippi and Alabama
[Update] NYC debates toxic air
June 13, 2005
Demolition of buildings in lower Manhattan brings new concerns to community.
[Update] One year later, Nebraska town reflects
May 23, 2005
Hallam is recovering from 2004 Spring tornadoes
[Update] Winter and Spring Storms in year 2005
April 18, 2005
Storms have caused flooding from New York to California
Pennsylvania neighbors unite after flooding
April 15, 2005
St. John's UCC in Riegelsville assists with flood relief
Panel confronts post-9/11 health issues
February 27, 2005
Health issues plague Ground Zero workers
Indiana and Ohio assess flood damage
January 20, 2005
The high water across Indiana is slowly receding but many are still keeping a close eye on the rivers.
Winter storms wreak havoc
January 11, 2005
Floods and Mudslides Hit Ohio, Indiana and California. Across Ohio, Gov. Bob Taft declared a state of emergency for 49 counties, with some of the most severe damage across the central and southern parts of the state.
Ms. Phyllis Y. Richards
Program Associate
Global Sharing Of Resources
Wider Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland,Ohio 44115
216-736-3215
richardp@ucc.org
Ms. Susan M. Sanders
Minister and Team Leader
Global Sharing Of Resources
Wider Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland,Ohio 44115
216-736-3210
sanderss@ucc.org
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