People walk along a flooded street as water rises Sept. 17 in New Bern, N.C., following Hurricane Florence. The storm, now a tropical depression, is poised to affect more than 10 million the week of Sept. 17. (CNS photo/Eduardo Munoz, Reuters)
RALEIGH, N.C. (CNS) -- The Carolinas were hard hit with record rainfall and flooding rivers from tropical storm Florence since it made landfall Sept. 14. And although the storm was downgraded from a hurricane to a Category 1 tropical storm, it still caused extensive water damage. At least 24 people died in storm-related incidents, tens of thousands of homes were damaged and about 500,000 homes and businesses were still without power Sept. 17. Prior to the storm, Catholic Charities of South Carolina was preparing to help those in need. Kelly Kaminski, director of disaster services for Catholic Charities, said the agency activated its Emergency Operations Center and disaster services team Sept. 10 and had been coordinating with county emergency management teams, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Catholic Charities USA. It has been working with local partners to have water, cleaning supplies, baby items and other needed supplies readily available in areas along the coast. Catholic Charities USA has set up its website donation page and text-to-give platform to help individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Florence. As it did in response to last year's hurricanes, the agency forwards 100 percent of funds raised to the local Catholic Charities agencies that serve the affected communities. Those wishing to donate can text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or call (800) 919-9338. "We are praying for those affected by the storm," said Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. "Unfortunately, those most impacted by natural disasters are the individuals and families who are already struggling to make ends meet. "But thanks to the generosity of our donors, the most vulnerable have their immediate needs met and the long-term recovery support they need to rebuild their lives," she said in a statement. Catholic Charities USA said its staff members are prepared to deploy to local agencies that may need additional support. Its mobile response unit also is standing by to be sent to the region. The vehicle can be packed with nonperishable food items, health and hygiene kits and bottled water, all of which are ready for distribution. A trailer connected to the vehicle contains a washer and dryer that will allow survivors to clean their clothes. The mobile response unit also can be used as a field office. Two charity organizations, Food for the Poor and Matthew 25, had teamed up and coordinated efforts with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh to distribute disaster relief supplies to the hardest hit areas. Food for the Poor received three tractor-trailer loads of goods from Matthew 25: Ministries for the relief effort with water, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper to be distributed by Catholic Charities. Daniel Altenau, director of communications and disaster services for Catholic Charities in Raleigh, said a disaster can be one of the most traumatic things a family can experience. "We are working with local partner agencies to address the immediate needs of families across central and eastern North Carolina," he said. Altenau said Catholic Charities was grateful for the support from Food for the Poor, noting: "We know that no one can recover from a disaster this big alone, and no single agency can meet all the needs of survivors. But, as a community, we can care for our neighbors in need." Note: Those wishing to donate to Catholic Charities USA disaster relief can text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or call (800) 919-9338. The latest information on the situation can be found at CCUSA.faith/disaster.
Lake Zurich parish sends supplies to Tampa, Asheville On two consecutive weekends in October, members of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich loaded supplies for victims of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, shipping over 40 pallets of water, diapers, garbage bags and other nonperishable items.
Parishes, deacon group rally to ship supplies to hurricane victims On the breezy afternoon of Oct. 13, a caravan of about a dozen cars pulled up to the garages at St. Mary Monastery in Lemont and volunteers piled out and dropped off boxes of diapers, packages of baby wipes and cases of water for the victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
Pope expresses closeness to Mexican resort city devastated by hurricane After dozens of people were killed and billions of dollars in damages were suffered due to a hurricane that hit Mexico’s Pacific coast, Pope Francis expressed his condolences and prayed that Christians would contribute, in a spirit of charity, to the reconstruction of affected areas.