A group of Early Response Team (ERT) members from First United Methodist Church in Morris spent five days in Betsy Layne, Ky., to help with the massive flooding that occurred in late July. 

On the first day, the volunteers worked to clean up and remove mud from a basement. The flooding from the nearby creek caused about two feet of water to enter the basement and left several inches of gooey mud everywhere. 

The team has been amazed at the damage water can do. Flooding in the mountains is completely different than flooding in Illinois said Colin Monk, NIC Disaster Relief Coordinator.

"Water runs down the mountains, collecting in streams and creeks," said Monk. "This creates huge rivers of water rushing through neighborhoods and towns. The force of the water sends cars, houses and trees downstream. Many areas we were in had 6 to 8 feet of rushing water. Debris is scattered everywhere."

During their trip, they were able to help five homeowners by doing physical work, but more importantly, Monk said they were able to provide a Christian presence as they listened to their stories and offered our support.

Monk gave thanks to Victory Baptist Church in Betsy Layne, Ky. for hosting the team.

Before leaving for Kentucky, Monk brought a team to the Freeport, Ill., area to assist in flood cleanup. The area received over 10 inches of rain from Aug 7 - 8 causing extensive crop damage and flooding of homes.

The team was able to serve five homeowners by removing water-damaged belongings from basements, removing wet and moldy building materials, along with ventilating basements to prevent additional mold growth. 

Follow the NIC Disaster Response Facebook page to read more about the ERT's work. 

Midwest Mission send three shipments to Kentucky

Midwest Mission Distribution Center, located just outside Chatham, Ill., continues to answer the call to help with disaster relief in flooded areas of Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky. After receiving requests for help from three Kentucky organizations in the middle of the disaster-declared areas, Midwest Mission went into action by sending three shipments of disaster relief supplies as requested by its partners. 

Aug. 15, 2022 –Kentucky Mountain Mission is a conservative, independent, evangelical faith Mission that ministers in the southeastern town of Beattyville, Ky. It was hit hard by the recent flooding. Supplies purchased by and/or donated to Midwest Mission were sent to help take care of basic needs and clean-up efforts. The semi-trailer was filled with: shovels, flashlights, hammers and other tools weighing in at 645 lbs. Other items sent were: 5175 trash bags in crates, 47,400 disposable face masks, 1080 scrubber sponges, 480 18-gallon totes with lids, 53 twin-sized sheet sets with 2 pillowcases/set, 30 twin-sized sheet sets which included flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcase, 6720 tubes of Hello toothpaste, 53 cases of Goop sanitizer, 67 cases of household cleaner, 180 Tornado Kit assembly - Rubbermaid Totes and Lids and miscellaneous cleaning supplies. The total weight of supplies was 11,465 lbs., valued at $91,755.60

Aug. 16, 2022 – Midwest Mission received a list of specific supplies needed in Pikeville, Ky. and filled a semi-trailer with medical supplies, wipes and sanitizer weighing in at 28,266 lbs. and valued at $226,128.00 to Pikeville, Ky. The shipment was coordinated through Rotary International and the Pikeville Rotary Club. The devastation of the massive flooding has claimed upwards of 40 lives. Many families have lost homes, jobs, businesses and more.

Aug. 24, 2022 – Henderson Settlement is a Mission Institution of the Red Bird Missionary Conference. It was the recipient of the most recent Kentucky shipment. This load included: 683 lbs. of furniture/furnishings, 720 UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) hygiene kits, 720 tubes of Hello toothpaste, 480 UMCOR school kits and 180 completed UMCOR cleaning buckets. The total weight of this shipment was 3400 lbs., valued at 430,692.00.

Please donate to Midwest Mission. The donations allow Midwest Mission to help those affected by disasters all over the world and makes it possible to continue sending relief shipments when requests are received.

Executive Director Chantel Corrie said, “Please remember disaster response, especially of this magnitude, is not a sprint but a marathon. If you assume what others need you can clog the transportation and storage of more important items or create a disaster within a disaster. That’s why we only work with trusted established partners, so we can be sure to send what is actually needed." 

Donate by texting “Donate” to 855-589-1314 or visiting midwestmission.org/donate.