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NAT I ONAL NEWS Hurricane Helene recovery in North Carolina

GLOBAL NEWS

CHURCH RESPONDS AS TYPHOONS BATTER PHILIPPINES

BURNSVILLE, N.C. (UM News) – Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on Sept. 26 in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, weakened to a tropical storm over the mountains of Western North Carolina. The remnants of Helene led to three days of record rainfall that caused catastrophic flooding and spawned tornadoes in valley communities of the region. Helene killed more than 100 people across the state. More than 18 inches of rain fell across three counties in Western North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Climate Office. United Methodist News is documenting the effects of climate change — such as more frequent and stronger hurricanes in the United States — through a series of dispatches from affected areas and detailing the denomination’s response. Bishop Ken Carter, who leads the Western North

Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, said it’s estimated that more than half of the 44 counties in the annual conference have been affected. Specially-trained United Methodist Early Response Teams have been working in the affected areas since Oct. 8, and more than 500 United Methodists signed up to complete the required training to serve during the stabilization phase between relief and recovery. “The last five weeks have been a time of trial, suffering and death. And yet, we are resurrection people, people of hope. This is the good news that we preach. Now is the time to claim this good news in our own lives,” Carter said in an Oct. 31 letter to church members. By mid-November, hotels and restaurants in the area remained under a boil water advisory, meaning that hotels that have reopened are providing bottled water to guests for drinking and brushing their teeth.

BY GLADYS P. MANGIDUYOS CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) – Filipino United Methodists are rising up to help the survivors of a series of strong storms that ravaged the Philippines over the span of several weeks. The Rev. Nonelio Talisic, superintendent of the Central Bicol District and administrative pastor of First United Methodist Church in Naga City, said that the people of Bicol, though accustomed to bracing for storms, “found themselves caught off guard by the silent but destructive arrival” of Tropical Storm Trami (called Kristine in the Philippines) in late October. Trami, along with the previous Typhoons Yinxing (Marce) and Kong-rey (Leon), left more than 160 people dead and over 9 million people in the Philippines dealing with extreme flooding, according to The Associated Press. Three more storms, Typhoons Toraji (Nika), Usagi (Ofel) and most recently Man-yi (Pepito), followed on their heels, making this the most active November on record for the Pacific typhoon season. “Many United Methodist churches across the region are cut off due to impassable roads, landslides and damaged infrastructure,” Talisic said. “The sudden downpour led to widespread flooding across several provinces, with some areas still underwater days after the storm passed. “Flood control structures crumbled under the pressure, and roads and critical infrastructure suffered extensive damage from landslides.” But, he noted, the response from The United Methodist Church and others has been quick. “The outpouring of aid has underscored the spirit of connectionism, with financial support, food, clothing and drinking water provided by churches, private institutions, the government and individual donors alike,” he said. He said the Bicol community remains resilient, yet the experience serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Talisic said recovery efforts are ongoing, “with teams working tirelessly to restore basic services and aid residents in rebuilding their lives.” The Rev. Jerome Alvarez, North Bicol District superintendent, said that in the wake of Kristine’s devastation, the Bicol Philippines Conference mobilized its first wave of relief operations, providing food packs to approximately 600 families across the region. “Led by the Bicol Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team and the conference board of Church and Society, the relief efforts aim to bring critical supplies to the hardest-hit communities,” he said. A second wave of food distribution was scheduled, along with a campaign to gather additional resources for ongoing recovery efforts, particularly to help rebuild damaged homes, Alvarez said. He expressed thanks to United Methodist-related Wesleyan University- Philippines for donating nearly $3,000. Food shortages continue to be a pressing issue, he said, particularly in Camarines Sur. “Many rice storage facilities remain underwater; access to basic food items like rice is limited, posing challenges to the continuity of relief distribution,” he said. Guided by Bishop Israel M. Painit of the Davao Area, Alvarez said that the Bicol Philippines Conference has developed a strategic plan to address both the immediate and long-term needs of the region. “This includes prioritizing United Methodist Church outreach areas while coordinating with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) team for a broader response across Bicol.”

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next day, they get up and do some repairs if repairable.” While discussing the effects of Marce with UM News, the area was anticipating the coming of Ofel the following day. Biteng said three local churches are under water after Marce. Wilson Constantino, lay leader and a member of the disaster risk reduction management team in Northeast Cagayan, said the church is prepared to offer support in situations like this. “We have a definite support to alleviate the plight of many families who lost homes and livelihood,” nothing that the storms have been especially hard on farmers. “Much time is required before the harvest. Rice grains are not mature yet, but if they submerge in water, the entire grain is lost,” Constantino said. He said that in response, local churches, districts and annual conferences are urged to support affected communities with essential supplies, including food packs, sanitation kits, hot meals and cleaning materials. “Efforts are ongoing to provide sanctuary for displaced survivors, with a focus on delivering aid and fostering recovery across devastated areas,” Constantino said. As rare occurrences continue to happen resulting from warmer oceans that threaten to bring more misery to the storm-weary Philippines, Acdal said United Methodists must stand together. “Together, as a community of faith, we will rise together and stronger. These calamities also remind us of our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. The increasing intensity of storms calls us to renew our commitment to environmental stewardship.” (Mangiduyos is a communicator in the Philippines.) Photo courtesy of the Ako Bicol Online TV Facebook page Typhoon 1: Philippine Coast Guard personnel evacuate residents in the Bicol region on Oct. 24 after floodwaters rose quickly due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Trami (called Kristine in the Philippines). United Methodists are among those rallying to help survivors in the wake of Trami and several other tropical storms that battered the region. Typhoon 2: Roofs of buildings show over floodwaters as Philippine Coast Guard personnel navigate a boat through debris during rescue operations in the Bicol region in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Trami. The Rev. Nonelio Talisic, superintendent of The United Methodist Church’s Central Bicol District, said that the people of Bicol “found themselves caught off guard by the silent but destructive arrival” of Trami.

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Gratitude has poured in from local communities for the support received from the broader Philippines Central Conference, which offered a special collection to bolster relief funds. Wesleyan University, in particular, has played a significant role by organizing fundraising drives to aid typhoon victims in Bicol. “In times of adversity, we are reminded that strength lies in unity, collaboration and resilience,” said Bishop Painit. “When waters rise, so must our hope, compassion and willingness to lift each other. Let us manifest our support for those affected, and together, let us build each other up.” The Rev. Arvin R. Corpuz, Aurora District superintendent in the Middle Philippines Conference, said the recent typhoons have dealt a significant blow to the communities of Dibulo and Dinapigue in Isabela, impacting both livelihood and daily life. “Although no lives were lost, the storms have taken a toll on livestock and agriculture, with over 70 animals, including goats, cows and pigs, drowned by floods.” Corpuz said that crops also have suffered, noting one pastor in the region whose banana plantation was devastated, resulting in a complete loss of this year’s harvest. “The storms also damaged homes, brought down trees and temporarily suspended schools,” he said, noting that children faced nearly three weeks of disrupted classes. Churches were similarly affected, with numerous services canceled due to storm-related repairs and cleanup efforts as congregants focused on home repairs and assisting their areas. “Efforts to support these affected communities continue, but the long-term effects on livelihoods and education remain a concern as residents work to rebuild amidst ongoing challenges,” Corpuz said. Bishop Rodel M. Acdal of the Baguio Area said the devastation in Northern Luzon has been overwhelming. “For the past month, our brothers and sisters in Northern Luzon have endured unimaginable challenges as Typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel and now Pepito wreaked havoc across the region. These storms caused massive flooding, destroyed homes, livelihoods, schools and even church sanctuaries,” he said. Baguio Episcopal Area disaster management coordinator Mai Galario Yesan highlighted the severity of Typhoon Marce’s impact across multiple regions, with more than 7,000 families initially displaced. By Nov. 13, affected numbers surged to 110,841 families. “The storm affected three regions, 10 provinces and 943 barangays, with pre-emptive evacuations reaching 34,501 people,” she said. The Rev. Excelsis Ato Biteng, Northeast Cagayan District superintendent, said despite the devastation, the families in her area are resilient. “Schools were destroyed by Typhoon Marce. So many families lost their houses, but they are resilient. The

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Award-winning UM News photographer Mike DuBose offers a photo essay of the disaster response work: Helene 1: Al Miller shares a laugh with Anita McKinney during a visit to her home in Newland, N.C. An Early Response Team from Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta, Va., had been cleaning up flood damage at McKinney’s home after storms spawned by Tropical Storm Helene caused nearby Squirrel Creek to overflow its banks. Miller, the former director of disaster ministries for the North Carolina Conference, is leading the disaster recovery center at Spruce Pine United Methodist Church. Helene 2: Rosa Sistare helps explain preparations to winterize temporary housing in camping trailers for residents of the Grindstaff Trailer Park in Spruce Pine, N.C. Residents survived flash flooding that rolled their mobile homes onto their sides after Tropical Storm Helene caused nearby Brushy Creek to overflow its banks. Sistare serves as a volunteer interpreter for the Hispanic community, most of whom are longtime residents who have raised their children there. The disaster recovery center at Spruce Pine United Methodist Church has helped provide the camping trailers and is helping them to prepare for winter weather. Helene 3: Frank Nelson (left) and Will Isemann, members of an Early Response Team from Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta, Va., remove flood-damaged household items from a storage barn in Newland, N.C. Helene 4: A ruined piano and church pews are piled with flood debris for disposal outside Pensacola United Methodist Church in Burnsville, N.C., after the church was flooded by storm runoff following Tropical Storm Helene.

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Helene 5: Nancy Galvan (left) and Glenn Cliborne, members of an Early Response Team from Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta, Va., remove flood-damaged household items from a storage barn at Anita McKinney's home in Newland, N.C. Runoff from storms spawned by Tropical Storm Helene tore through mountain communities in Western North Carolina, causing major flooding. Helene 6: The bridge across the Cane River in Burnsville, N.C., that leads to Heather Carter’s home was washed away by floodwaters during Tropical Storm Helene. Volunteers working with the disaster recovery center at Spruce Pine (N.C.) United Methodist Church removed moldy ductwork in the home’s basement. State highway workers have installed a temporary bridge across the river.

HOW TO HELP The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response and Recovery serves as the primary channel for United Methodist assistance for disasters that strike outside of the United States. Donate to Advance Special 982450, https:// umcmission.org/advance-project/982450/

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Helene 7: Railroad lines mangled in Tropical Storm Helene flooding lie in the Nolichucky River in Poplar, N.C.

8 | JANUARY 2025 | THE CURRENT

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