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One-year-old Oliver Kelly cried as he was carried off a sheriff’s airboat in Leland, N.C., during a rescue Sept. 17 from rising floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. The storm dumped record rainfall on the Carolinas, causing record flooding in many areas of the states.
One-year-old Oliver Kelly cried as he was carried off a sheriff’s airboat in Leland, N.C., during a rescue Sept. 17 from rising floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. The storm dumped record rainfall on the Carolinas, causing record flooding in many areas of the states.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Drake | Reuters

Catholic Charities distributes disaster relief to areas hit by Florence

Hurricane Florence caused record rainfall and flooding in the Carolinas

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 major hurricane to a Category 1, 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.

Those wishing to donate can text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or call (800) 919-9338. Donations may also be made to Catholic Charities of St. Louis, which coordinates with Catholic Charities USA to help. Visit www.ccstl.org/get-involved/donate and select Hurricane Florence Relief Fund.

“We are praying for those affected by the storm,” stated 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 wrote 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

Donate to Catholic Charities USA by texting CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or callling (800) 919-9338

Donations may also be made to Catholic Charities of St. Louis, which coordinates with Catholic Charities USA to help. Visit www.ccstl.org/get-involved/donate and select Hurricane Florence Relief Fund.

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