United Methodists respond to West Virginia flood damage
7/12/2001 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York By Tom Burger* CHARLESTON, W. Va. (UMNS) -- Hundreds of southern West Virginia families are looking for places to live after the devastating flood July 8. Many more must also find other churches in which to worship.
Rushing water inflicted major damage on four United Methodist churches and left mud and debris in seven others in the flood area. The governor declared a state of emergency in eight counties, and hundreds of people were forced to evacuate their homes. The flooding is known to have caused at least one death.
The Rev. Paul Russell, Southern District superintendent, said he had never seen flood damage so bad.
"The main problem has been getting help across crumbling, inundated roads to begin cleanup," he said.
Mullens United Methodist Church still has six inches of mud in it because work teams have not been able to get there, Russell said.
The other hard-hit churches were Matheny, Long Branch and Milam United Methodist churches in Wyoming and Fayette counties. Anawalt, Delilah, Pageton, Prosperity, Premier, Superior and Hemphill churches were also damaged.
The conference's disaster relief coordinators, the Revs. Sharon and Charles Miller of Union, got little sleep during the first days after the flood. They were busy delivering drinking water and cleaning supplies to whatever areas they could reach in their rented truck.
On one trip, the two came upon a family huddled under a bridge. The Millers found a nearby emergency shelter and made sure the family was safe, warm and dry before heading down the road.
"Folks are glad to see anyone who has come to help," Sharon Miller said. "We've heard more 'Praise the Lord; thank you Jesus' in these few days as we have in a year of Sunday services."
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has been bringing in relief supplies and has already contributed $10,000 to the recovery effort. For more information, go to www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor-hotline on the World Wide Web.
Bishop S. Clifton Ives, who leads the church's West Virginia Area, has called for a conferencewide special offering to raise money for what is likely to be a long relief and recovery effort. For information on volunteer work teams, call Russell's office at (800) 386-6828.
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*Burger is communications director of the United Methodist Church's West Virginia Annual Conference.
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