This past weekend a winter storm ('Riley' by name) exploded into a hurricane force Nor'Easter. Wind recordings topped out at nearly 100 MPH in some areas. That wind drove tidal surges accompanied by flooding rains to heights rivaling the most historic of storms in recorded history. (Yes, we are in that new norm of storms that come with 'Greater Frequency and Greater Intensity'.)
Many folks ended up without power for days. In fact, at the time of this writing, nearly 75,000 are still without power on day 3 following the storm. Reports of damage are still coming in as power is restored and people can get around to assess the impact. And you have likely seen some of the images and heard some of the stories.
I want to say how impressed I am with our clergy and churches. They have been responsive and resilient. Some have offered their churches as heating stations and places to get warm and charge your cell phone. Some held services by candlelight for those who could safely get out. Some cancelled plans to keep folks safe at home. Many have reached out to their community to assist in response and support efforts.
Your Conference staff and your DRRT (Disaster Response and Resource Team) is in the process of reaching out to our churches within the impact zone to assess any needs they may have. We are also connecting with National UCC's Disaster Ministries staff. And we are in contact with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and MAVOAD (Massachusetts Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) to connect around assessment and response.
Rev. Estelle Margarones, one of our MACUCC DRRT Conference Disaster Coordinators, compiled a list of resources, even in the midst of her own recovery work in her community. (Estelle serves our church in Scituate, which is one of the more deeply impacted towns). You may find some of the information below to be helpful for this storm and for those that may be on the horizon.
Please let us know if you or your church of community have any needs.
Stay safe in the storms.
Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister
Disaster Resource and Response Team
More Post-Storm Resources
Many folks ended up without power for days. In fact, at the time of this writing, nearly 75,000 are still without power on day 3 following the storm. Reports of damage are still coming in as power is restored and people can get around to assess the impact. And you have likely seen some of the images and heard some of the stories.
I want to say how impressed I am with our clergy and churches. They have been responsive and resilient. Some have offered their churches as heating stations and places to get warm and charge your cell phone. Some held services by candlelight for those who could safely get out. Some cancelled plans to keep folks safe at home. Many have reached out to their community to assist in response and support efforts.
Your Conference staff and your DRRT (Disaster Response and Resource Team) is in the process of reaching out to our churches within the impact zone to assess any needs they may have. We are also connecting with National UCC's Disaster Ministries staff. And we are in contact with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and MAVOAD (Massachusetts Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters) to connect around assessment and response.Rev. Estelle Margarones, one of our MACUCC DRRT Conference Disaster Coordinators, compiled a list of resources, even in the midst of her own recovery work in her community. (Estelle serves our church in Scituate, which is one of the more deeply impacted towns). You may find some of the information below to be helpful for this storm and for those that may be on the horizon.
Please let us know if you or your church of community have any needs.
Stay safe in the storms.
Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister
Disaster Resource and Response Team
3/8 UPDATE: The Red Cross, in conjunction with MAVOAD, is setting up sites offering enhanced services and programs to meet the needs of homeowners, tenants and others impacted by last week's coastal storm. Those sites are:
Quincy Recovery Resource Center
Schedule: Thursday, March 8 & Friday, March 9, 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Address: 1 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, MA
Marshfield Recovery Resource Center
Schedule: Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Address: Martinson Elementary School, 167 Forest St., Marshfield, MA
MEMA, the American Red Cross, and Massachusetts 2-1-1 will activate the
2-1-1 information line as a virtual Resource Recovery Center beginning on
Thursday, March 8th. Disaster survivors will be able to call 2-1-1 to access
disaster services from state agencies, private non-profits and the MA VOAD,
similar to the services that will be available in the physical Resource
Recovery Centers. Homeowners and tenants of flooded homes will also be able to request
volunteer support from VOAD agencies to help clean out their damaged homes
by calling 2-1-1 or visiting a Resource Recovery Center.
Continue reading for more resources.
We invite you to share the ways you've responded to these events. Did you open the church as a warming center, charging station, work station, or offer meals? Did you work with your local clergy association or other agencies to assist those most affected? Please let us know: methotk@macucc.org.
Address: 1 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, MA
Marshfield Recovery Resource Center
Schedule: Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Address: Martinson Elementary School, 167 Forest St., Marshfield, MA
MEMA, the American Red Cross, and Massachusetts 2-1-1 will activate the
2-1-1 information line as a virtual Resource Recovery Center beginning on
Thursday, March 8th. Disaster survivors will be able to call 2-1-1 to access
disaster services from state agencies, private non-profits and the MA VOAD,
similar to the services that will be available in the physical Resource
Recovery Centers. Homeowners and tenants of flooded homes will also be able to request
volunteer support from VOAD agencies to help clean out their damaged homes
by calling 2-1-1 or visiting a Resource Recovery Center.
Continue reading for more resources.
We invite you to share the ways you've responded to these events. Did you open the church as a warming center, charging station, work station, or offer meals? Did you work with your local clergy association or other agencies to assist those most affected? Please let us know: methotk@macucc.org.
In light of the extreme weather over the last week, your MACUCC Disaster Resource and Response Team offers you these helpful resources:
Access other resources from MACUCC.org/DisasterResource by using the search box and typing in words like 'snow', 'flood', 'hurricane', etc..
- Information and safety tips for residents to keep in mind as they clean up storm damage, return to flooded homes, and begin the recovery process
- Power outage preparedness and safety information
- Flood safety tips
- Winter storm safety tips
- Insurance information from Mass.gov
- Safeguard against scams and fraud when repairing your home
- Utilize Massachusetts Alerts to receive emergency notifications and information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone,
- Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times.
- Utilize the National Weather Service’s Coastal Flood Threat and Inundation Mapping Tool
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
- MEMA's Facebook page
- Weather Prediction Center
- Storm Prediction Center
- Find a warming shelter.
Author
Don H. Remick
Don Remick is Bridge Conference Minister.