Hurricane Dorian: How You Can Help

September 10, 2019

Although the impact on the United States from Hurricane Dorian was less than predicted, we know other areas were not as fortunate. Our prayers continue for our neighbors in the Bahamas and others impacted by the storm. Our conference disaster response team has been in touch with surrounding annual conferences and UMCOR letting them know of our readiness to serve. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief) has awarded a solidarity grant to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, the Disaster Ministry of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church. Bishop Theophilus Rolle, president of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands Conference of the Methodist Church, said that the hurricane's force has resulted in "an unimaginable living nightmare" there. 

Know that we are staying in close contact with our partners in the Bahamas but at this time, one of their greatest difficulties is to effectively distribute relief supplies. Because of this, we are asking churches to make monetary donations to help with infrastructure and to establish their recovery program. 

The Conference Disaster Response Team will continue to monitor how Alabama-West Florida can be of assistance. In the meantime, here's how to help right now:

  • Prayer: Please join us in praying for all those already impacted by this storm. We also ask that you pray for those affected by Hurricane Michael and the trauma they relive as other storms make landfall. 
  • Giving: To help the recovery effort in the Bahamas, give to UMCOR International Disaster Response #982450. To help in the recovery along the U.S. coast, donate to UMCOR Domestic Disaster Response #901670. Click here for online giving.
  • Needs: There are no requests for donated items at this time. Items not being used from the Hurricane Michael response along the Gulf Coast are being collected by a leadership team and will be sent to the Bahamas. Please do not send unsolicited items to any church unless you are specifically asked to do so. 
  • Early Response Teams: We will be releasing information as to if and when Early Response Teams are needed in surrounding conferences. Do not self-deploy.

Thank you for your desire to help those who need it most at this time.