The last several weeks have been a very active period of severe weather in the United States, highlighting the need for church and community preparedness and the importance of partnerships and collaboration to bounce back from and potentially lessen the impact of disasters, such as tornadoes and flooding.
In the second of three events commemorating the centennial of the Tulsa race massacre, Imagine Tulsa 21 and the Synod of the Sun’s Network for Dismantling Racism (N4dR) participants were called to “reflect and respond” to the initial conversation with Hannibal B. Johnson, an attorney, author and consultant specializing in diversity and inclusion as well as chair of the Education Committee for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has reached out to presbyteries in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana to offer assistance following a round of winter storms that has left many people without heat and safe drinking water.
The road to recovery from Hurricane Harvey is just beginning in Texas. For Mission Presbytery and the Presbytery of the New Covenant, the primary task in recent days has been to maintain communication with churches and congregations in the storm’s path. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in the midst of a six-day visit to both presbyteries to meet with leaders and help them in recovery planning.
Mientras partes de Texas continúan lidiando con las lluvias torrenciales, inundaciones y daños causados por el viento de la tormenta tropical de esta semana, el pueblo presbiteriano está haciendo donaciones a través del Programa Presbiteriano de Asistencia en Desastres (PDA) para ayudar con las necesidades de emergencia.
The high water from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey may be subsiding, but the long-term threat in Texas is far from over. In the Houston area, emergency crews are still going door-to-door looking for people who may still be in their homes. As the water recedes the threat of mold and contaminated water supplies from local chemical plants and refineries continues to complicate recovery efforts.
As parts of Texas continue to deal with heavy rain, flooding and wind damage from this week’s hurricane-turned-tropical storm, Presbyterians are making donations through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) to help with emergency needs.