Despite flooded streets, power outages, spotty cell service and other obstacles, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent Saturday morning, Oct. 1, volunteering in areas that were the most severely impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much, in some cases literally everything, as a result of Hurricane Ian,” said Elder Victor P. Patrick, Area Seventy. “Our service feels like a small sacrifice compared to what our neighbors have suffered.”
While high winds can create major damage in hurricanes, this particular storm also had excessive storm surge and rain — causing rivers, canals and lakes to swell, which damaged roadways, bridges, buildings and property.
Sections of Interstate 75 in Florida were under water on Saturday, meaning some Church members had to travel farther out of their way to go south to the areas in most need of help and cleanup.
Members of the Naples Florida Stake gathered early Saturday morning before general conference to work in Fort Meyers, which was one of the hardest-hit areas. They filled work assignments at homes and delivered water bottles and hygiene kits.
The stake’s assistant communication director, Natalie Rodriguez, made one of those donations to Lutheran Services Florida — Comprehensive Refugee Services.
“The neighboring Lutheran church were in desperate need of water and hygiene kits. We were able to gladly accommodate their request,” Rodriguez said.
Crews removed debris and tree branches, repaired rain gutters and mopped out homes.
Said Elder Patrick: “Seeing the light of renewed hope and heartfelt appreciation in so many eyes is its own reward. These disaster response efforts — by ourselves and so many others — reflect the Savior’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
The work last Saturday is only the beginning of what is expected to be several weeks worth of response. Local Church leaders have invited other faiths to work with them.
Community volunteers looking for ways to help in the area can check JustServe.org to find projects listed by organizations in need.
Other impacts
When the hurricane hit, a Church spokesman confirmed all missionaries in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission and Florida Tampa Mission were safe and accounted for.
When Hurricane Ian left Florida, it traveled up the southeastern coast of the U.S., affecting South Carolina and North Carolina.
Elder Matthew S. Harding, Area Seventy, told the Church News that all the missionaries were safe and accounted for in both South Carolina and North Carolina. Those missionaries that had moved inland for the storm have since returned to their areas.
Elder Harding said there was only a limited impact upon communities and members. Some Church buildings had minor flooding or wind damage that will be repaired.
