After Sandy, Maryland town quietly suffers

Translate Page

Five volunteers are standing in the Asbury United Methodist Church in Crisfield, Maryland, talking about their goals for the day.

Nearly two months after Hurricane Sandy swept up the US East Coast, this team of volunteers will finish gutting out the home of two elderly sisters, then begin dragging soggy belongings from dozens of other homes.

Black mold is creeping up the soaked drywall and beams in many homes, said Jim Truitt, who with his team raised money to travel to Crisfield from Washington State. All have received the Early Response Team training of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

“We have been looking at a bumper crop of mold,” explained Truitt. “We are trying to communicate to people that mold really is a problem now, and it will only get worse.” Although the mold is growing at a slower rate now, this summer—with its typical Maryland heat and humidity—could offer an ideal breeding ground for the harmful mold.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not approve federal aid for the town of 2,600, though Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley requested a FEMA declaration.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Rich Walton, disaster response coordinator for the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference, finds another damaged home nearly every day. “Today alone, we discovered five more damaged homes,” he said, “and my guess is that there are 350 damaged homes so far.”

FEMA is reevaluating its decision based on the new assessments provided by Walton and others.

Already, Walton has 60 homes on a list for needed repairs. “Some are still in the process of drying out,” he said.

He thanked the volunteer team for flying across the country to help people in a little-known Maryland town that, especially in the face of the vast numbers of homes affected in New Jersey and New York, has gotten very little attention. Yet Walton estimates long-term recovery in Crisfield will take two years.

It may take even longer if more volunteer teams don’t visit Crisfield, he added. “We don’t have a single team signed up for February.”

Walton, who is pastor at the Salisbury Zion UMC, commended the courage of the Crisfield community. “I admire the fortitude of this community,” he said. “They’re not willing to roll over.”

As FEMA passed through the town assessing damages, government officials told people who had flood damage to hang a white sheet, towel or shirt somewhere in the front of their house. Driving through Crisfield nearly two months after Sandy hit, white towels and rags are still hanging from doorknobs and fences.

“Yet many people here tell us we’d better check on their neighbor,” said Walton. “We had a lady whose floor had rotted and collapsed under floodwaters. Yet she pointed next door and said, ‘That man is much worse off than I am.’ ”

Your gift to Hurricanes 2012, UMCOR Advance #3021787, will help UMCOR respond to recovery needs over the long haul.

*Susan Kim is a journalist and a regular contributor to www.umcor.org


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Disaster Relief
The Rev. Mary Stewart of Rolling Fork United Methodist Church leads a prayer as people worship on the steps of the church on March 26 in Rolling Fork, Miss. At least 25 people were killed by tornadoes that tore through the state on March 24, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather moved through several southern states. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Church reaches out after deadly tornadoes

After a powerful storm brought death and destruction to one of the poorest regions of the U.S. South, United Methodists are helping people in the Mississippi Delta mourn and pick up the pieces.
Disaster Relief
A mother and her four children stand by the remains of their home, which was destroyed by Cyclone Freddy in the Zambezia Province of Milange, Mozambique. The record-breaking cyclone wreaked havoc on southeastern Africa in February and March. Photo by Zenaido Castigo.

Church responds after cyclone batters Africa

The record-breaking storm’s duration was at least 36 days, killing more than 600 people in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar. United Methodists are reaching out to survivors as recovery continues.
Poverty
Urs Schweizer.  Photo courtesy of author.

When the poor share what they have

An agricultural program initiated by the United Methodist Church in Albania to help those struggling economically led to an inspiring act of charity.