Hurricane Ian

The United Methodist Church has trained volunteers across Florida
who can assist with clean up, tarping, debris removal, etc.

Call 855-CAT-FUMC (855-228-3862) to report community needs
and to volunteer your services.

Ways you can help…

From The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church

  • Pray. Continue to lift the impacted in prayer.
  • Call the Disaster Recovery call center at 855-CAT-FUMC to volunteer or share post-storm community needs. The disaster call center is open to anyone that has requested assistance, request for material supplies, or other resources. It is also the number to call for offers to volunteer, make a financial donation, or any desire to offer your services. This number is open to all people in our Florida communities. Call the Disaster Recovery Call Center at 855-CAT-FUMC (855-228-3862).
  • Volunteer for the Early Response Team (ERT) Recruitment and Deployment Thank you for your interest, support, and willingness to serve. The Hurricane Ian response is constantly evolving, and we appreciate your patience as we determine the most effective way to safely help those impacted. FLUMC is currently:
    • setting up Basic ERT and Recertification ERT classes, online (see below)
    • securing volunteer housing
    • working with county leaders to coordinate work
    • Basic ERT Training – In Person
      Saturday, October 15th – 8:00 – 4:00 at First UMC, Lakeland
      Register here.
      We are looking for additional churches to host Basic ERT training. Once we have confirmed host churches and dates, training will be posted online for registration.
      If you are interested in hosting, please contact Jill Hockin.
      IMPORTANT: If you recertify or take a basic class, you will be expected to deploy with a team over the next 2-3 months, or as long as ERTs are needed in the affected communities. If you know you will not be able to deploy during that time, please wait for future classes.
      ERT Deployment Process

      • Experienced ERTs willing to serve as Team Leaders in the next 4-6 weeks should contact Tom Vencuss and include the dates you are available to lead. This a reminder that a full ERT trip/deployment is 5-days: 2 days of travel, and 3 days of work.
      • Once Team Leaders are identified, names, deployment dates, and contact information will be emailed.
      • Those available to serve can contact the appropriate team leader directly to sign up for that deployment.
      • When a Team Leader has a complete team, the Team Leader with work with Tom Vencuss for work location assignment and final deployment details.
      • All questions about ERT deployment should be directed to Tom Vencuss.

On Wednesday, October 5, Allendale sent 71 child-sized cots to Southwest Florida so that displaced children have a place to lay their heads. Thank you to drivers Amy and Bruce Bordeaux and to Rep. Michele Rayner for renting the vehicle.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Storm surges and Category 4 winds caused significant flooding and damage, devastating the southwest area of the state and beyond. While we are still assessing the damage, at least 100 churches in our Florida Conference have been impacted at varying levels.

The Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry is actively responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s devastation among our churches across the state. Your prayers and financial support are welcome to assist with our response to this disaster.  All gifts will be used to support the mission of local churches most directly affected by the storm and will be distributed by the cabinet under the supervision of the Conference Committee on Finance & Administration. The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church is walking alongside our siblings devasted by Hurricane Ian. Give to the Hurricane Ian Response and Recovery fund.

Supplies from around the country are headed to Florida and an initial solidarity grant has been given to help The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church address immediate needs, as they are able.

If you would like to help create flood kits and menstrual hygiene kits for those impacted by Hurricane Ian and other flooding events, please visit umcmission.org/umcor-relief-supplies for more information.

You can also support the work of UMCOR and its local partners by giving to the UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery fund, knowing that 100% of your donations go to help those in need. UMCOR’s administrative costs are covered by the apportionments given by United Methodist Churches like ours. This fund is a general disaster relief fund that covers tragedies even beyond Hurricane Ian.