Working in the Wake of Hurricanes

World Renew’s Disaster Response Services (DRS) is readying volunteers and equipment to respond to Dorian as it slowly moves towards the East Coast of the U.S. as a Category 2 hurricane.

That response will vary and take time, but World Renew is  committed to this effort and has long experience in it. Here is a story about work that took place following Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas two years ago this week.

Allan and Ann lost everything to Hurricane Harvey.

 “Allan gives praise to God for answering their prayers. He thanked World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) for our help,” said Laurie, a World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteer.

“Allan pitched in with repairing his home and entertained our volunteers with jokes and snacks.”

World Renew DRS volunteers put in many hours on the couple's home, which needed all new sheetrock, mudding, painting, flooring, and more.

"I cannot begin to describe the admiration I have for DRS volunteers," Allan said. "It was a pleasure to have such devoted and kind people build our home.”

These volunteers, he came to believe, were sent by God to help repair his home and his life.

“I truly believe they were sent from heaven. The light of Jesus shone through their words and actions. They did quality, detailed work in every way.

“I am pleased to inform them all that it will be my great joy to meet them all in heaven. God bless you for your miracle worked in my home."

Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the gulf coast communities of Texas two years ago this week. Today, much work has been completed and celebrated, like the story of Allan and Ann.

But there is also much work to be done and DRS and its volunteers will be there to help until the end, just as they will be following Dorian.

Donations following Harvey have allowed World Renew to provide $25,000 local organizations in Texas to support the recovery of survivors in their communities.

So far, DRS has met with and did personal assessments of the needs of thousands of people; it has worked with 11 communities, repaired more than 100 homes, and had 1,332 volunteers put in more than 100,000 hours of work.

Looking Ahead

• Volunteers will continue to repair homes out of the DRS-managed reconstruction site in Dickinson, Texas, for the next 2 years
• A new DRS-managed reconstruction site is being set up this fall in Victoria County
• DRS will continue to provide direct-grant funding to local recovery organizations
• Communities continue to request DRS needs assessments
• Week-long volunteer groups will continue to repair homes in affected communities

Volunteer help is still needed in Texas and will be needed in the wake of Dorian.

For more information, contact World Renew DRS at [email protected], 800-848-5818, or learn more at worldrenew.net/drs.