Dakotas Conference responds to recent disasters
Many people are working to put their lives back together after losing everything to flooding in southeast South Dakota and tornadoes this week in Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
Photo: Destruction from the tornado that destroyed over 24 homes and 11 businesses in Wessington Springs, SD on July 18.
Roy Caudill, Glacial Lakes District Superintendent reports that the churches and parsonages in Wessington Springs and throughout southeast South Dakota have not experienced any damage. “The buildings are fine. There is a lot of loss and damages to property for individuals in the communities. Our local churches are defining ways they can help.”
Kathy Chesney, Dakotas Conference Disaster Response Coordinator for South Dakota is in communication with agencies throughout the state to determine the needs and response that is needed for individuals.
“I ask United Methodist across the Dakotas Conference and the connection to join me in prayer for all of those that have been affected in some way by the floods and tornadoes that have recently passed through South Dakota,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church. “We will reach out to those in need as we gather more information."
Early Response Training
Early Response Training will be held Saturday, June 28 at the Mitchell Conference Center, 1331 W. University Ave., Mitchell, South Dakota. The class will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Conference Center. The registration cost is $35 per individual.
When a disaster strikes how can you best help the victims? ERTs (Early Response Teams) are invited in to help stabilize the disaster area after the first responders (search, rescue and recovery) have completed their work. Work can include clearing debris, making initial needs assessments, working in feeding stations, tarping damaged homes, mucking out flooded homes and inventorying and organizing relief supplies. Some teams or team members might even assess damage to homes. Early Response Teams are trained and credentialed by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and deployed under the umbrella of UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers In Mission). Participants will have to pass a background check, (click here for the form), which is paid for by the Dakotas Conference Disaster Response Committee.
To register contact Susan Punt at susan.punt@dakcamps.org or (605)996-6552
