Hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, stalled over the Bahamas Sunday and Monday, killing 30 people and causing massive destruction on the Abaco Islands. The storm went on to hit Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, bringing heavy rains and creating more than a dozen tornadoes. 

Although the storm was downgraded from a Category 5 with sustained winds up to 165 miles per hour (265 kilometers per hour) to a Category 2 with sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (175 kilometers per hour), the extended exposure to the storm has likely devastated the Bahamas. Early estimates from the Red Cross indicate approximately 13,000 homes are damaged or destroyed. Like many homes, Grand Bahama’s international airport was under six feet of water.

There are five Nazarene churches on Grand Bahama Island, at least four of which will have water damage along with most of the homes in the communities. The full status of both the churches and the surrounding community is still unknown while the storm remains over the islands. Teams from the Mesoamerica Region are standing by to assist in the Bahamas and are anticipating the need for aid, including skilled workers, food, water, care packs, clothing, and medication.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. were ordered to evacuate the east coast ahead of the storm’s advance. In Florida and South Carolina, the Church of the Nazarene is mobilizing supplies and organizing teams to respond if the need arises. Several churches, including Apopka Calvary and Cross Bridge Churches of the Nazarene, are filling sand bags and helping the community secure and board up their homes. Others, including the Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene, have opened up church facilities as staging areas for relief efforts. The Florida District is also mobilizing 3,000 crisis care kits, and Nazarene Disaster Response teams are standing by.

How to help

Pray

Pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Pray for the swift delivery of the supplies and care they need, and pray for the months of recovery ahead. Pray for those who are most vulnerable during and after the storm, especially senior adults, individuals with disabilities, and people living in poverty. Pray for church leaders and churches responding to the needs around them. To send a prayer or note of encouragement, go to ncm.org/pray.

Give

Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the 2019 Storm Response. Donations will be used for immediate needs, such as water and food, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

To send donations by mail:

In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to: 

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Be sure to put 134047 in the Memo area.

In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:

Church of the Nazarene Canada
3657 Ponytrail Drive, Mississauga, ON | L4X 1W5

Be sure to put 134047 in the Memo area.

For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to 2019 Storm Response.