
UNITED STATES
DISASTER RESPONSE
When disasters happen, it is local churches that provide the first response to their communities. This basic understanding – that disaster response is local – forms the foundation for UMCOR’s U.S. disaster training and response efforts.

When responding to a disaster in the United States, UMCOR works with the conference disaster response ministries to provide the following:
Financial assistance – emergency grants may be sent when a bishop of the affected conference contacts UMCOR;
Expertise – UMCOR’s disaster-response experience and knowledge are made available to those in need;
Networking – connections with volunteers, experts, local government, and other organizations can help communities recover from disaster.
Bolster Response Efforts
Get Involved
Relief Supplies Request
2022 DISASTER RESPONSE
UMCOR and its partners are responding to disasters in the United States every day. Please join us in prayer for the affected areas and consider giving to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response to support these efforts.
Tornadoes in Florida
On January 16, several rotations touched down and caused significant damage to residential and commercial properties, displacing roughly 300 people. UMCOR awarded an initial solidarity grant and is financially supporting the Florida Conference in a 2 year recovery project that will focus on home repair and case management.
2021 Response
- Wildfire in Colorado
- Tornadoes across the United States
- Hurricane Ida
- Flash Flooding in Tennessee
- Tropical Storm/Hurricane Henri
- Tropical Storm Fred
- Wildfires in the West
- Flooding in Michigan
- Surfside condo collapse in Florida
- Hailstorm in Texas
In October, multiple tornados and high winds hit the already ravaged areas of Lake Charles and southern Louisiana. UMCOR awarded a solidarity grant to the Louisiana Conference to support their meeting of urgent needs such as food and shelter and to support volunteer efforts, initial case work and other relief activities.
A group of 11 tornadoes moved across Alabama in March, causing death and destruction in four counties. An UMCOR recovery grant is providing case management and construction services in the Alabama West Florida Conference.
UMCOR will provide further updates as they become available.
For the most up to date information,
follow the UMCOR Facebook page.
2020 Response
- Flood recovery in Oregon
- Winter storms in Texas
- Hurricanes Sally and Zeta
- Hurricane Laura
- Wildfires in the West
- Midwest U.S. Derecho
- Hurricane Isaias
- Hurricane Hanna
In February 2020, the Umatilla River in Northeast Oregon rose and flooded many communities along its banks. UMCOR awarded a recovery grant to the Oregon-Idaho Conference to aid survivors in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and in Umatilla County. The funds will help begin the rebuilding process and provide salary support for Disaster Case Managers.
Past Response
- Hurricane Dorian
- Wildfires in California
- Hurricane Michael
- Hurricane Florence
- Hurricane Maria
- Hurricane Harvey
- Hurricane Irma
Solidarity grants were awarded to the Florida and North Carolina Conferences to assist with initial response efforts.
UMCOR supported the California-Pacific and California-Nevada Conferences as they responded to the needs of those affected by the devastating wildfires of 2017 and 2018. Grants were awarded totaling over $1.5 million for response and recovery ministries.
UMCOR solidarity grants were awarded to support initial response efforts in the Alabama-West Florida and Florida Conferences. Additionally, recovery grants were approved in the amounts of $118,271 for the Florida Conference and $617,368 for the Alabama-West Florida Conference to support vital survivor services, including disaster case management, reconstruction and volunteer coordination.
UMCOR awarded grants to the North Carolina and South Carolina Conferences to support response efforts. Recovery grants were approved in the amounts of $825,050 for South Carolina and $1,428,000 for North Carolina to support vital survivor services, including disaster case management, reconstruction and volunteer coordination. In both conferences, recovery programs were launched in January 2019. UMCOR supported with training and consultation.
UMCOR worked closely with the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico to develop of a comprehensive plan for recovery. This included support for disaster case management, direct assistance, volunteer coordination, materials and supplies, and contracted construction services in 25 municipalities throughout the island. UMCOR awarded grants and relief supplies totaling over $20 million.
UMCOR awarded partners in Texas and Louisiana grants totaling over $13.8 million to aid in the recovery of more than 12,000 survivors.
UMCOR awarded $9.1 million to the Florida Conference to support its comprehensive recovery program, aiding the recovery of more than 10,000 survivors.