By SAMANTHA HEARN
Hurricane Matthew’s damage has reached the U.S., and Brentwood-based Hope Force International sent out a crew Monday morning to North Carolina to aid a state where there have already been 10 reported deaths from the storm’s destruction.
More than 1,500 people are stranded on roofs due to a levee breach in Lumberton, with several counties under severe flooding threats. Mandatory evacuations have been issued in Kinston, Greenville, Princeville and the Neuse River Basin. According to the state’s department of public safety, nearly half a million people were without power as of 7 a.m. on Monday.
On Monday morning Hope Force International’s “tip of the arrow” team of six left Brentwood for Durham, North Carolina.
“They will stage initially in Durham and begin assessing damage in some of the hardest hit areas,” Hope Force training coordinator Sue Duby said. “Many rivers have yet to crest, so things are still unfolding on the ground.”
Last week a Hope Force team permanently stationed in Haiti responded to the Hurricane damage there, and are still working to rebuild the country that has been devastated by natural disaster.
Hope Force International has placed all of their Reservists on standby.
In addition to Hope Force, electrical line workers have been dispatched from several local utilities, and swift water rescue teams from Spring Hill and Columbia also have left.
This has been a demanding year for Hope Force, with both their human and financial resources being stretched to capacity. To donate, click here.
If you’ve ever wanted to aid others after a natural disaster strikes, Hope Force International is accepting registration for their Disaster Response Training seminar happening next month in Tupelo, Miss.
This year Hope Force has responded to disasters in Nepal, Missouri, Texas, South Carolina, West Virginia and even Tennessee. Volunteers of all skills are needed.
To work with Hope Force, volunteers have to complete the reservist training, a three-day training that focuses on the grief and trauma cycle, personal wholeness and healthy team dynamics. Hope force stresses the importance of the relational, emotional and spiritual aspects of effectively meeting the needs of those who have suffered loss. Hope Force has more than 1,300 reservists.
The training consists of two days and two evenings of preparation for domestic service with Hope Force International. Reservists are then eligible for rapid deployment, often within 24 to 48 hours of a disaster. The training consists of live speakers, as well as teaching filmed exclusively for Hope Force.
Topics to be covered include identity in Christ for the disaster responder, foundations of emotional and spiritual care, maintaining healthy and cohesive relationships in ministry, core principles for effective ministry and how to be an appropriate caregiver, as well as self-care for the crisis responder.
When an emergency happens, the reservist system sends out a text and whoever can respond is sent out to help.
Hope Force has responded to disasters all over the world, including in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Haiti after the earthquake last year and in 2010, as well as home rebuilding in Appalachia.
Hope Force has been a national partner with The Salvation Army since 2005, with a focus on training and volunteer deployment. They have also responded to the floods in Nashville, floods in the Midwest, tornadoes in the South, wildfires in the West and severe storms in the South. Teams also responded to the Asian Tsunami and the 2011 Joplin tornadoes.
The next training dates are Nov. 10-12 in Tupelo. For more information, visit www.hopeforce.org.
Samantha Hearn reports for Home Page Media Group. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @samanthahearn.
