Church of God Aids Flood Victims
Three South Carolina churches suffered devastating flood damage and several others were affected to some extent, reported Church of God State Administrative Bishop Thomas Gillum today. Further, the homes of two ministers in the Bahamas were damaged by Hurricane Joaquin, which struck several Out Islands with winds of 140 miles per hour. The double wallop of a tropical hurricane and an unprecedented weather event over the Carolinas combined to threaten churches and church members’ properties over a wide area.
Churches and individuals may assist with emergency supplies to flood victims by visiting www.operationcompassion.org and clicking on the “Donate” button. Those who wish to help with cash donations to help churches with rebuilding efforts may send to Church of God Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 2430, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320, or donate online by visiting the Church of God website (www.churchofgod.org) and clicking on the disaster relief graphic.
International Offices in Cleveland, Tennessee, is awaiting reports from two other islands in the Bahamas and the church in Bermuda, presently out of communication. However, relief efforts have already begun in South Carolina, coordinated by Operation Compassion. The organization has eight trucks loaded with water and disaster supplies standing by to deliver as soon as roads are passable in the flooded zone.
“We are providing disaster relief supplies for the immediate need and additional help for the long-term recovery,” said David Lorency, president of Operation Compassion. Disaster sites will be established in multiple locations, he explained. Parts of Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and the Sumter area were hardest hit, but many small towns are also under water.
The three heavily damaged church buildings are in Andrews, Coward, and Lake City. All three are located in the coastal plains area roughly between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Churches that experienced less severe damage include North Charleston, Elmwood Avenue in Columbia, and West Columbia. Other churches may report damage when surveys are complete.
“Not only have our churches been affected, but an untold number of church members’ homes are under water,” reported Bishop Gillum.
Weather officials have called the deluge a “1,000-year flood,” meaning that the combination of events that produced the unusually heavy rainfall could be expected to happen only once in that length of time. Hurricane Joaquin, far offshore, contributed to the rainfall amount, but was not the main culprit. Earlier, it had skirted the Bahamas, causing minimal damage, and passed over Bermuda.
In addition to the Internet donation site, people may also help by calling Operation Compassion at 423-728-3932 and giving by credit card. Those who prefer to give by check for supplies may mail donations to Operation Compassion, 114 Stuart Road NW, Suite 370, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312.
