Disaster Response Services Responding to Tornadoes

In November, a fast-moving cold front spawned more than 75 tornadoes that affected residents of 12 U.S. states across the Midwest.

In May, a series of tornadoes, also spawned by a fast-moving cold front, swept through Oklahoma and several other states.

In both instances, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers responded and continue their work.

Less than 24 hours after the November tornadoes touched down, DRS workers were on their way to Kokomo, Indiana, and Cole City and Washington, Illinois.

“We heard that a tornado was headed straight for a large Methodist church in the watch area when it seemed to take a detour around the building. God spared his people that day, because church was full of worshippers at the time,” say Early Response Coordinators Glen and Betty Geurink.

One of the families that the couple met was the Lancasters. Chad and Mindy, and their daughter Jett were struggling to cope in the aftermath of the storm.

“We helped them put the belongings they had left into their car. They lost almost everything and were grateful for our help,” the Geurinks said.

As trained DRS early response coordinators, the Geurinks have a compassionate demeanor about their work, and are especially gifted in providing emotional and spiritual care to those whose lives have been turned upside down during a disaster.

It will take a long time to clean up and repair homes after these rare November tornadoes, but in their immediate aftermath, a listening ear and a prayer are often the most helpful action responders can take.

“We talked with one woman for quite a while. We gave her information about applying for assistance as well as a helpful booklet called When Your Whole World Changes. We left a similar booklet and a Bible with a man who was disabled and lost his home,” the Geurinks said.

Regional Managers Ed and Helen Mulder are also active in the response, connecting regularly with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) for the state of Illinois.

“For safety reasons, the communities that were affected by the tornadoes were ‘closed’ for eight days—no one was allowed in or out besides emergency personnel and damage evaluators.

“After that, residents had a few days to search for their belongings and the city then began to clear the debris by the truckload,” the Mulders said.

Meanwhile, DRS volunteers continue working in Oklahoma after the May tornadoes. In that case, World Renew early response coordinators Rich and Pat Grasman went door to door in the city of Moore, Oklahoma and the surrounding area to distribute information and provide support to those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. In all, 300 people were injured and 12,000 homeowners were affected by the disaster.
Recently, Regional Managers Mark and Carol Martin from DRS met with local recovery groups to begin coordinating unmet needs assessments with homeowners who still need assistance with home repair and reconstruction.

World Renew DRS prioritizes these door-to-door assessments during the disaster recovery process in which DRS volunteers survey community members to identify their household needs. DRS then delivers the information to the local recovery group which uses it to schedule reconstruction projects.

DRS Building Estimators Dale and Joyce Rhodea will be conducting assessments in the Oklahoma City area. Working with Oklahoma United Methodist Church Disaster Response (OK UMC), the couple will provide a building estimate to 60 identified homeowners whose property is in need of repair or rebuilding.

The OK UMC in Oklahoma City then uses the estimates World Renew DRS provides to apply for grants and raise funds to complete the reconstruction.

While World Renew DRS coordinates and partners with many disaster response organizations like OK UMC in locations with larger populations or heavy destruction from a disaster across the US and Canada, staff and volunteers also seek out the smaller communities that get missed in media reports or planning discussions.

“There are other communities surrounding Moore and Oklahoma City that were affected by the tornadoes, but they haven’t been mentioned much in the news,” says DRS Program Manager Art Opperwall.

“They need help rebuilding their homes. We anticipate sending volunteer groups to those areas this winter and in spring 2014.”

To assist with a donation to help in the  tornado relief work, click here.