RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolinas were hard hit with record rainfall
and flooding rivers from tropical storm Florence since it made landfall Sept.
14. And although the storm was downgraded from a hurricane to a Category 1
tropical storm, it still caused extensive water damage.
At least 24 people died in storm-related incidents, tens of
thousands of homes were damaged and about 500,000 homes and businesses were
still without power Sept. 17.
Prior to the storm, Catholic Charities of South Carolina was
preparing to help those in need. Kelly Kaminski, director of disaster services
for Catholic Charities, said the agency activated its Emergency Operations
Center and disaster services team Sept. 10 and had been coordinating with
county emergency management teams, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and
Catholic Charities USA.
It has been working with local partners to have water, cleaning
supplies, baby items and other needed supplies readily available in areas along
the coast.
Catholic Charities USA has set up its website donation page and
text-to-give platform to help individuals and families impacted by Hurricane
Florence. As it did in response to last year's hurricanes, the agency forwards
100 percent of funds raised to the local Catholic Charities agencies that serve
the affected communities. All parishes in the Diocese of Arlington have been asked to take up a second collection to assist.
"We are praying for those affected by the storm," said
Dominican Sister Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.
"Unfortunately, those most impacted by natural disasters are the
individuals and families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
"But thanks to the generosity of our donors, the most
vulnerable have their immediate needs met and the long-term recovery support
they need to rebuild their lives," she said in a statement.
Catholic Charities USA said its staff members are prepared to
deploy to local agencies that may need additional support. Its mobile response
unit also is standing by to be sent to the region. The vehicle can be packed
with nonperishable food items, health and hygiene kits and bottled water, all
of which are ready for distribution. A trailer connected to the vehicle
contains a washer and dryer that will allow survivors to clean their clothes.
The mobile response unit also can be used as a field office.
Two charity organizations, Food for the Poor and Matthew 25, had
teamed up and coordinated efforts with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of
Raleigh to distribute disaster relief supplies to the hardest hit areas.
Food for the Poor received three tractor-trailer loads of goods
from Matthew 25: Ministries for the relief effort with water, hygiene items,
cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper to be distributed by Catholic
Charities.
Daniel Altenau, director of communications and disaster services
for Catholic Charities in Raleigh, said a disaster can be one of the most
traumatic things a family can experience.
"We are working with local partner agencies to address the
immediate needs of families across central and eastern North Carolina," he
said.
Altenau said Catholic Charities was grateful for the support from
Food for the Poor, noting: "We know that no one can recover from a
disaster this big alone, and no single agency can meet all the needs of
survivors. But, as a community, we can care for our neighbors in need."
How to help
Those wishing to donate to Catholic Charities USA disaster
relief can go online, text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or call (800) 919-9338. The latest
information on the situation can be found at CCUSA.faith/disaster.