The South Carolina Synod Stands Ready
A re-strengthening hurricane has carved its way across across Florida and is mostly heading for the Carolinas. At the synod office we are following Ian and sharing information as we get it. Information about housing assistance and official government resources are available below. Please keep us updated on your congregation’s safety and where help is needed. (Neal Fischer – neal@scsynod.com or call 607-349-8072.) As of the time of this email Ian is expected to make landfall and move inland. While the Hurricane is no longer classified as a category four, the powerful northwestern side of the storm will cause heavy wind and flooding due to rainfall and storm surge along the coast and waterways.
GIVING OPTIONS
The synod is making available options to receive donations to assist those in need because of this storm throughout the Carolinas. One option is giving by text. To give by test simply dial 864-383-1482. If this is your first time giving to use by text, you will be prompted to attach a card or another way to send the payment. After that, simply type in the dollar amount you would like to send (no $ is required) followed by a space and then the fund name. (i.e. 10 South Carolina Disaster Response) Another option is to give online. Click the give now button below.
Checks may be made payable and sent to:
South Carolina Synod
Attn: South Carolina Disaster Response
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Please put South Carolina Disaster Response in the memo field of your check.
GIVING THROUGH LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE
Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida yesterday with near Category 5-strength winds, dumping record amounts of rain and causing catastrophic flooding. Hurricane Ian bore down through Florida today and is expected to make landfall again in the Carolinas. Early reports indicate the potential for a substantial loss of life. Ian, as predicted, is one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in decades.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response make it possible for the ELCA to act quickly after disasters, whenever and wherever they strike.
MORE WAYS TO HELP
Volunteer Services
The state of South Carolina is asking volunteers to NOT SELF-DEPLOY into hard-hit areas. Showing up to communities impacted by the hurricane will create an additional burden for first responders. Volunteer opportunities often require specialized training, and the state wants to ensure all volunteers are safe during recovery operations.
Clothing
Please do not donate clothes. They often become a second disaster.
Food
SCEMD is requesting that South Carolina citizens take collected food items to local food banks or other charitable organizations. These local food banks and organizations work with the state and will distribute food to the survivors in South Carolina and other impacted areas.
Congregations that need help
The Crumley Archives specializes in helping congregations rehabilitate records after water damage, and have contacts all over the state that can assist parishes.
Congregations with damage to the building
If you need financial assistance with repairs, please contact the ELCA Mission Investment Fund. They are prepared to help in various ways. If you need to replace your paperwork and have a loan with them, then are able to help there as well.
KEY MESSAGES FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER:
- There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge through Friday along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Residents in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials.
- Hurricane-force winds are expected across coasts of South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina beginning early Friday, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Hurricane conditions are possible by tonight along the coasts of northeastern Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina where a Hurricane Watch is in effect. Preparations should be rushed to completion since tropical-storm-force winds will begin well before the center approaches the coast.
- Ongoing major-to-record river flooding will continue across portions of central Florida, with considerable flooding in northern Florida. Considerable flash and urban flooding is expected across coastal portions of northeast Florida through Friday. Local significant flooding in southeastern Georgia and eastern South Carolina is expected through the end of the week.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…
- Edisto Beach to Murrells Inlet…4-7 ft
- Flagler/Volusia County Line to Edisto Beach…4-6 ft
- Murrells Inlet to Cape Fear…3-5 ft
- Cape Fear River…2-4 ft
- St. Johns River…2-4 ft
- East of Cape Fear to Duck, including Pamlico and Neuse Rivers…2-4 ft
- Patrick Air Force Base to Flagler/Volusia County Line…1-3 ft
- Albemarle Sound…1-2 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in the Hurricane Warning area starting early Friday, with tropical storm conditions beginning overnight.
Tropical storm conditions are now occurring in parts of the warning area on the east coasts of Florida and should spread northward along the Georgia and North Carolina coasts today through Friday. Hurricane conditions are possible within the Hurricane Watch area in northeastern Florida and Georgia today into Friday, and in the watch area in North Carolina on Friday morning.
RAINFALL: Ian is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall:
- Coastal Georgia: 1 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts.
- Northeast South Carolina: 4 to 8 inches, with local maxima of 12 inches
- Upstate and central South Carolina, North Carolina, and southern Virginia: 3 to 6 inches with local maxima of 8 inches across northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia.
Major-to-record river flooding will continue across central Florida through next week. Considerable flash and urban flooding, and minor river flooding is possible across South Carolina through Friday. Locally considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding is possible this weekend across portions of northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia. Limited flooding is possible across portions of the southern Mid-Atlantic.
TORNADOES: A few tornadoes will be possible Friday across the coastal Carolinas and southeast Virginia.
SURF: Swells generated by Ian are affecting the northern coast of Cuba, the northeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, Florida and Georgia. Swells will increase along the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
HURRICANE IAN UPDATE FROM SCEMD
Governor Henry McMaster will held a media briefing with state emergency management officials, Thursday September 29 at 4:00 p.m. The governor updated the public on Hurricane Ian’s impact on South Carolina. Stay up to date with the latest from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at their website.
