MDS extends Hurricane Floyd relief effort

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 20 May 2000

BURGAW, N.C. -- Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has committed to another year of rebuilding and restoring in Burgaw, N.C. After repairing 18 homes in the flood-wrecked communities surrounding Burgaw, MDS has re-evaluated and decided to extend its response to last September's Hurricane Floyd.

"At the time that the disaster was occurring, I did not realize the seriousness of it, the devastation of it and the financial burden that it would put upon me and my family," said single mother Marie Jackson.

Jackson's home was repaired by MDS, but others are still awaiting aid. Despite an initial planned closing date of May 29, the Burgaw project is busily preparing to continue response to the ongoing flood of pleas for help. "We were winding down in Burgaw. Now we are cranking up again," said MDS Project Director Bob Weichman, "There is so much need."

Homeowner Rosie Judge completely lost her house to Floyd. Judge has been living in a camper with her husband and children since the flood waters crested somewhere between the electrical outlets and the wall hangings in her living room, destroying nearly everything she owned.

After the waters receded, community members concentrated their initial efforts on helping people like Judge. "A lot of them were trying to look out for the people who were totally lost," said Judge, "But they didn't do anything for themselves."

"When you are going through something like this, you don't think clearly," said Reverend Bert Pickett, recipient of MDS aid. "You are, like, in a dream."

The confused dream state that kept people from seeking help was enhanced by a general misunderstanding of how to apply for federal assistance. Some homeowners did not even realize that they needed or qualified for help. Because the extent of damage was not immediately visible in their homes, they ignored their own damp insulation and set out to help those with greater needs. But with time, minor damages became harder to ignore as dampness turned to mold, joists began to rot and walls shifted from their foundations.

"Some are finding now that their floors are puckered up...they can feel it," said Judge, "The water didn't come in the house, but it came up under it."

Now instead of closing down the Burgaw Project, MDS is moving into a new facility to prepare for the summer youth program. The annual program brings church youth groups to project locations to volunteer for a week at a time. Volunteers are currently framing in a pavilion to be used as a kitchen and dining hall facility for the eight youth groups that will come to North Carolina between June and August.

The youth program and a continued MDS presence in Burgaw will reflect the desire of MDS to keep spirits up and smiles alive as this community struggles to put their lives back together.

"Really, before y'all came, we were without hope," said Reverend Pickett. "In our county, people did not know what to do. When you Mennonites came, it started clicking."

Contributions to the Burgaw Project and other MDS projects can be sent to 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org