Hurricane Idalia Response Update

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Hurricane Idalia Response Update Graphic

Dear Friend,
 
As you may know, Hurricane Idalia struck central and northern Florida on August 30th, bringing sustained winds speeds near 125-mph and a storm surge of 16ft along Florida’s north-west coastline. The Category 3 hurricane then continued its path of destruction as it tore northward into Georgia and the Carolinas. Once reaching Georgia, Idalia moved through the city of Valdosta as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105-mph. Over a thousand power poles in Lowndes County snapped, leaving 97% of the county in total darkness. According to preliminary cost estimates, Hurricane Idalia has caused between $12 billion and $20 billion in damages. 

Inspiritus Disaster Relief has deployed a team to Valdosta, GA and has committed to a 30-day response on the ground. We have established a base of operations at the Valdosta Church of the Nazarene and are assisting Hurricane Idalia storm survivors on their road to recovery by providing free Debris Removal, Roof-Tarping, and Chainsaw services, along with hope and encouragement.

Downed trees from Hurricane

Inspiritus staff are on the ground establishing a VRC (Volunteer Reception Center), which will be up and running by 7:30am on Saturday, September 9th. We are also deploying assessment teams to impacted areas to determine the extent of support that will be needed to help survivors on their path to thriving. We have been coordinating with local and state officials, as well as our partners, to bring much needed assistance to the impacted residents of South Georgia.

There is an urgent need for assistance as we continue to empower the families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Idalia on their journey from surviving to thriving. As we continue our response efforts in Valdosta, GA, volunteers are needed to help survivors recover from this devastating storm. 

Items from a home strewn on ground

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Project Tasks & Activities:

  • Capacity Building: Inspiritus staff are coordinating with local emergency and city/county officials to assist with local capacity building efforts. While staff are actively supporting operations in and around the Valdosta area, they are also assisting leaders in other local towns and counties to help them assess and manage the people and resources they need. Towards the end of our Response, Inspiritus staff plan to offer advisement and support for the development of Long-Term Recovery planning and committees, as needed. 

  • Volunteer Housing: Inspiritus has setup volunteer housing at Valdosta Church of the Nazarene, with the capacity to accommodate overnight volunteers on a daily basis. This base of operations has been without water and power since our team's arrival. Special thanks to the local Planet Fitness in Valdosta, GA and Valdosta Fire Station No. 4 for opening their shower facilities to the community, including our volunteers on the ground.  

  • Home Assessments, Debris Removal, Roof-Tarping and Chainsaw Services: Volunteers are conducting home assessments and are providing free Chainsaw, Debris Removal, and Roof-Tarping services for local residents’ homes where it's safe to enter.

  • Support & Care: Volunteers are accompanying survivors as they navigate one of the most difficult tragedies and challenges of their lives. In this accompaniment, we walk alongside each individual we come in contact with, helping them to tap into the resilience within themselves. Prayer and spiritual encouragement is often greatly appreciated by many survivors and Inspiritus volunteers often provide this comforting and empowering form of care, when it is welcomed. Hope and hugs are often powerfully strengthening for survivors during their darkest hours.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE:

Donate to Inspiritus. The more funding we raise, the longer our teams can stay on the ground continuing to help families and individuals impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Roof-Tarping, and Chainsaw services to help families affected by the storm, especially those who can't recover without help.

VOLUNTEER:

This work would not be possible without the HEROIC volunteers and Team Leads living at our local Volunteer Housing Camp, who have come in from around the country to lend their time, hands, and hearts to empowering the residents of South Georgia.

Please consider volunteering and joining our team on the ground! You will not only impact the life of storm survivors, but will also be forever changed from this rewarding volunteer experience. You can sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below.

DR Response Teams on ground

Prayerfully consider joining us on the ground in Valdosta, GA now through September 30th. All skills and ages are welcomed. Please call the Volunteer Hotline at 1-800-775-0906 or visit www.weinspirit.org/drvolunteers to learn more.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus