Press Releases

Hurricane Wilma

On October 18 th , Hurricane Wilma became the 12 th hurricane and 21 st named storm in the Atlantic this year. It quickly gained strength, rising from a Tropical Depression to a Category Five hurricane in record time. The outer bands of the storm brought intense rainfall to the islands of the Western Caribbean and to the Gulf Coast of Central America. Flooding and landslides claimed dozens of lives before the storm even made landfall.

The eye of the storm hit the Mexican resort towns of Cozumel and Cancun on October 21 st with winds in excess of 160mph bringing massive destruction and stranding thousands of international tourists in emergency shelters.

After stalling over the Yucatan Peninsula for several days, Wilma moved quickly across the Gulf of Mexico, making landfall on October 24 th , approximately 40 miles south of Naples in southern Florida . The now Category Three storm remained strong as it crossed the state, devastating the East Coast and leaving nearly two million homes without electricity.

Rev. Roy Shuck, head of the NDR Rapid Response Team in southern Florida , reported, “I've been through 90 mph winds and now I've been through 120 mph winds. They say it increases exponentially and I believe them. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before.”

Rev. Shuck had to remove several downed trees from his property before being able to assist others in recovery from the storm. There was considerable coastal flooding along the Gulf Coast , where Wilma first made landfall, but a majority of the damage occurred due to high winds in the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas along the Atlantic Coast .

Thirteen Nazarene churches experienced minor damage, including missing shingles and downed trees. Eleven churches sustained major damage and will require long term help in rebuilding. Although damaged by the storm, the Pahokee Church of the Nazarene has offered its facilities as the staging area and base of operations for NDR's relief effort in southern Florida .

Rev. Joey Condon, who performed admirably as Katrina Response Coordinator in Mississippi , quickly relocated to Pahokee to begin organization of the response there. Currently, 800-1,000 people are being fed each day. Several shipments of food and supplies have been sent from Alabama and more shipments are en route from across the country.

The response from emergency management agencies has been slow, with lines for gas still several miles long even a week after the storm. Despite the difficulties, NDR is flourishing with the help of local congregations and the continued support of Nazarenes around the world. Dr. David Nixon had been serving as Superintendent of the Southern Florida District for less than a month when Wilma hit. “This is my first hurricane,” he said, “but I've hit the ground running! Although things seem chaotic now, we are doing everything we can to meet the needs of people.”

NDR is grateful for the unprecedented giving of the denomination to the response after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina struck the Gulf Coast . We again face a great need and we know the Church will respond. For information on volunteering, please contact our toll free hotline at 866-485-4483.

Visa and MasterCard donations are accepted on www.ncm.org and checks can be made out to General Treasurer with "ACM1801 Gulf Coast 2005 Hurricanes” in the memo line and mailed to

General Treasurer's Office, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City , MO 64131 . In Canada , checks can be made out and sent to: Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road , Unit 9, Brampton , Ontario L7A 1C3 .

• On-line using VISA or MasterCard
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

*** Please note that due to recent congressional legislation, U.S. donors may be able to deduct a contribution on their 2004 taxes for contributions made in January 2005 that are specifically marked for Tsunami Relief efforts. NCM will mark checks in January’s business if they are postmarked by January 31 and received in our office no later than February 7, 2005. Please consult your tax advisor if you have questions regarding your specific situation.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2005