With July already upon us, I’m once again making it a habit of looking daily at the National Hurricane Center website, watching for any indicators of tropical activity in the Atlantic. In my research today I came across an article from the Weather Underground website (wunderground.com) that talked about the work that has been going on in New Orleans, helping to build that city’s hurricane defenses:
“In the wake of the unthinkable devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005, Congress approved a $14.5 billion upgrade to the city’s flood defenses–the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), a 139-mile system of levees, walls and gates designed to protect against a 1-in-100-year storm surge, equivalent to what a Category 3 hurricane would bring. The last link of this formidable barrier system was completed on June 17, when the Army Corps of Engineers announced that they had finished a $3 billion flood-control ring around the West Bank of Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Charles parishes…”
I found this very encouraging. We always hear about the things that are done wrong, but rarely do we hear when a major risk reduction project is completed. So, I applaud the US Government for this one!
As I think about the new hurricane season, however, I’m also painfully aware of the recent disasters around North America. In addition to tornadoes in Oklahoma and flooding in Illinois and Michigan, over the past two weeks we have seen record flooding in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Through the efforts of our Regional Manager Henry Visscher and our Area Representative Ulrich (Yogi) Haasdyk, DRS has put the call out to volunteers to help with the significant amount of cleanup that will be necessary after that event. We are working alongside partners Samaritan’s Purse and Mennonite Disaster Services, and will likely be involved in long term recovery in the Calgary area. And this is all happening while we continue with the recovery efforts resulting from Hurricanes Irene, Isaac and Sandy.
But, there is also more good news that I’m happy to share. Late last week I was advised that we have been approved for a Hurricane Sandy grant from the American Red Cross in the amount of $257,500. We have been very active in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut, responding to Hurricane Sandy with our Unmet Needs Assessment teams and Project Managers. Plans are in place to open 2-3 long term construction sites over the next 3-6 months, so this grant will go a long way in helping with the long term commitment that we are making.
Another positive development in the area of disaster risk reduction worth mentioning came in the wake of the terrible tornadoes in Oklahoma last month. I have been asked to join a working group looking into the feasibility of building “safe rooms” in all homes that are repaired or built in tornado prone areas. Our first meeting is planned for September, and will include FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes), and several partners from the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). FLASH is sponsoring the meeting which will include representatives from Mennonite Disaster Services, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Habitat for Humanity.
Please continue to pray for the DRS staff and volunteer management team as we face the challenges of significant ongoing disasters in North America. The work can be tiring, but, as we often say, the rewards are out of this world!
In His Service,
