Prepared and Resilient Before a Hurricane

Jun 26, 2022

By Chris Markert, Bishop’s Associate for Mission

Hurricane season is upon us, running from June 1 through November 30.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year. This makes it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season, with climate change being a major factor. The NOAA is expecting between 14 and 21 named storms this year. (NOAA reference).

Now is the time to prepare, before a storm hits. The Gulf Coast Synod’s Disaster Team encourages every person to become a 72 Hour Lutheran. This is someone who has enough supplies in their home to meet their household’s basic needs for 72 hours. Being prepared and ready makes your household (as well as your congregation and community) more resilient when a disaster strikes.

Individuals, Families, and Households

Being prepared to take care of your own household allows you to then reach out and help others within the church community.

  • Use the 72 Hour Lutheran checklistto prepare
  • Determine potential escape routes, should they be needed
  • Don’t forget your pets’ needs during an emergency
  • Share one out of state emergency contact with all your family and friends
  • Call you church and be sure your contact information is correct
  • Know the vulnerability of your home and the safest areas within it
  • Be ready to assist your vulnerable neighbors who may need some assistance during a disaster

Gulf Coast Synod Pastors and Deacons

Being prepared as a church allows your congregation to be ready to assist your neighborhood following a hurricane:

  • If a hurricane hits your area, make sure you and your family have all the necessary supplies to be a 72 Hour Lutheran Household.
  • If you plan to evacuate prior to a storm hitting, let the Synod Office know where you are heading. Please include contact information so the Synod Office can reach you.
  • Once a hurricane hits, when you are able, please contact Synod staff by phone (281-873-5665), text, email, or using social media, and let us know how if you are safe, and if there is any immediate damage, injuries, or other concerns for your or your immediate household members.
  • Make sure you have a system to check on the vulnerable and their caregivers in your congregations and communities to make sure they have a plan to evacuate or shelter in place with food and supplies. Also, include checking on families with parents who work in emergency services (EMS, medical personnel, firefighters), who may need additional support for their families while they are away.
  • If safe, plan to gather your congregation for worship on the Sunday following a storm, even if you do not have electricity, e.g. a prayer service in the parking lot or something for the community to gather and pray.
  • Plan to respond to needs in your own community once you have cared for your members.
    • A place for cell phone charging, if you have a generator or electricity
    • Childcare for parents whose homes are impacted
    • Cold water
    • Grills to cook food (that would spoil in the freezer)
    • Crews to cut trees, clean debris, and/or provide compassion care

After a disaster, the Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Team’s first priority is to assist our pastors and deacons and their households to recover quickly so, in turn, they can better respond to the physical and spiritual needs of their members and neighbors. The second priority is to assist impacted congregations, so they can, in turn, assist their communities and neighborhoods in their recovery efforts.

Please email disaster@gulfcoastsynod.org if you have questions about how to prepare your household, congregation, and/or community to be resilient before, during, and after a disaster.