News

Harveyville UMC destroyed by tornado

By Susan Cooper, Kansas Area communications associate director An EF-2 tornado ripped through Harveyville the evening of Feb. 28, causing extensive damage to the community and destroying the Harveyville United Methodist Church building. One person died, and at least eleven people have been reported injured in the small community, which is approximately 35 miles southwest of Topeka. Governor Sam Brownback has declared a state of emergency in Wabaunsee County, where Harveyville is...

Reading UMC damaged by tornado, volunteers needed for storm recovery

By Susan Cooper, Communications associate director The deadly EF-3 tornado that struck Reading May 21 damaged the United Methodist Church there. A 53-year-old Reading man was killed by the storm, and several other residents were injured. “A structural engineer is going to look at the church to determine the extent of the damage. The windows are blown out, the steeple is gone, and there is substantial roof damage,” said Julie Pohl, Kansas East Conference disaster response...

UMCOR Responds to "Super Tuesday" Tornadoes in Five Southern States

New York, NY, February 7, 2008-The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and its regional church partners are responding as rapidly as conditions allow to tornadoes that struck five southern states on Tuesday night, February 5. Early response United Methodist teams were involved in debris cleanup on the afternoon of February 7 in areas that were open to volunteer workers. "In some areas, seek and rescue operations are still the priorities," said the Rev. Thomas Hazelwood, director of...

A second word on flooding from D.S. Janet

Greetings All --I have now visited all the major flood areas and a lot of countryside along the way. There are some amazing sights. Of course, I have taken pictures, but they do not really do it justice. Having seen some of the high water, it almost has as much impact to me to now see where all the water has been and the damage it left along the way. And then there are all the horrible smells...The oil residue mess in Coffeyville is terrible. In addition to homes, there are many businesses...

Rain remains a pain for the Plains

By Heather MoyerDisaster News Network A flood-weary region cringed again early this week as more rain fell, causing more high water. Storms drenched parts of Oklahoma and Texas, dropping 3 to 6 inches of rain. Thunderstorms were forecast for the region for the rest of the week. The hardest hit areas in the latest deluge included the Oklahoma counties of Atoka, Cleveland, Creek, Grady, McCurtain, Muskogee, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties, the Department of Emergency Management...

Flood update from D.S. Janet

After a very wet Spring in SE Kansas, the rains fell again on theweekend of June 30-July 1, 2007, with some areas receiving 21 inches in two days.Prior to this time the areas of our District in the most SE cornerincluding Baxter Springs, Melrose, Galena, Riverton and surroundingareas experienced significant flooding from the Spring River.   This past week the Neosho, Fall, Verdigris and other rivers and creeks flooded waybeyond flood stage, some as much as 24 feet above flood stage....

Flood buckets needed

The areas in southeast Kansas affected by the recent flooding are in great need of flood buckets. Any churches interested in helping with flooding relief are encouraged to donate flood buckets. Flood bucket contents and instructions are listed below. They can be dropped off at Topeka First, Paola UMC, Iola Wesley, and Independence First. Half of the flood buckets that were made up in May have already been taken. Please consider doing this as a help to our sisters and brothers in...

Greensburg update - July 2007

An update from Hutchinson District Disaster Response Coordinator Butch Proffitt On the evening of July 3, the Hutchinson District Hot Foods trailers served their last meal for the Greensburg disaster situation.  Since Greensburg is in the Dodge City District, the Dodge City District Disaster Response Coordinators and the Dodge City District Superintendent contacted the Kansas West Conference Coordinator and requested that the Hutchinson District Disaster Response Hot Foods trailers be...

How to help with flooding disaster relief

As many of you may be aware, recent flooding has compounded the disaster response need in the Kansas East Conference and the entire state.  Prayer support is critical.  Also important to know is that the assessment process begins immediately.  While assessments are formulated, any individual or church wanting to respond to the needs is invited to contact the Kansas East Conference office (toll free 877-972-9111 or 272-9111 in Topeka) with contact names, telephone numbers, and...

How to apply for disaster fund grants

In response to the great disasters in the Greensburg and Trousdale areas of Kansas, the Kansas Area Disaster Fund grant application has been revised. If you are a victim of the recent storms, you are eligible to apply. The application form is below. Anyone may apply for the grants, but their application must be submitted through their local United Methodist pastor. Please download a Disaster Fund Grant request form HERE.  ...

Bishop Jones issues statement on recent disasters

We are deeply saddened at the tragic tornados and flooding in Kansas this weekend. The community of Greensburg clearly suffered the worst, but other communities have also been affected deeply. We are praying for the victims of the Greensburg tornado Friday evening as well as those who suffered loss in the tornados on Saturday and Sunday evening across Kansas. We continue to pray for those who are experiencing flooding following the heavy rains associated with this group of storms. A...

Bishop visits Greensburg, tapes message for churches

Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones visited Greensburg on Tuesday and met with United Methodist disaster relief volunteers working from Haviland, a community 9 miles East of Greensburg. The bishop and Rev. Gene McIntosh taped a video message from Greensburg for use in church services. The video features McIntosh thanking his colleagues for their prayers, phone calls and support. The video can be viewed HERE in a Windows Media File or downloaded in a high-quality MPG file HERE. United Methodists...

Greensburg Tornado volunteer information

Volunteer information and storm recovery center location Damage assessments are still occurring in the Greensburg area. It will be several weeks before any volunteers are needed to assist with work in the community. However, there are needs in the surrounding areas. A Storm Recovery Center will be established in Haviland. Contact information for that office will be published as soon as it is available. Bev Weber remains the temporary volunteer coordinator. Please contact Bev Weber at...

Heavy rains and flooding hit Kansas East

By Gary Beach Director of Connectional MinistriesRains up to ten inches have been reported in significant portions of the Kansas East Conference.  Schools in the Topeka area are closed and evacuation centers have been opened at Washburn University and the Kansas Expocenter to receive hundreds of persons who have been flooded out of their homes in that community.  For more information about flooding in the Topeka area go to WIBW.com.  Julie Pohl's plans have changed...

Bishop issues disaster fund appeal

Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones has issued a special appeal for funds for the Kansas Area Disaster Fund. A tornado struck the city of Greensburg in southwest Kansas Friday May 4, leveling most of the community. The Greensburg United Methodist Church and church parsonage were heavily damaged or destroyed by the storm. Rev. Gene McIntosh, pastor of the church in Greensburg, is reported to be OK according to Dodge City District Superintendent Rev. Kendal Utt. The death toll at 11:38 a.m. May 5 is...

Bishop Jones issues disaster appeal

Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones has issued an appeal for churches to conduct a special appeal offering for the Kansas Area Disaster Fund in January. There is much need in the 44 counties of western Kansas hit by the recent ice and snow storms. The text of the message appears below: January 9, 2007       To: Kansas Area United Methodists The Kansas Area Disaster Fund was established to assist individuals and communities within the state following a disaster.  In...