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6 Ways to Protect your Home from Spring Flooding Spring is coming, and with it, the risk of flooding. Heavy rains and melting snow can lead to water damage in homes, but the good news is that you can take steps now to protect your property. Here are six easy ways to keep your home safe from floods: Duck in flood water. Links to Ready PA Newsletter signup. 1. Check Your Flood Risk Before you do anything else, find out if your home is in a flood-prone area. You can use this tool to check your flood risk. Even if you don’t live near a river or stream, heavy rains can still cause flooding, so it’s always good to be prepared. 2. Get Flood Insurance Did you know that regular homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage? Flood insurance can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Since it takes about 30 days to go into effect, don’t wait until the next big storm to get covered! You can buy it through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurance companies. Learn m...
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Help Needed in Western PA - Shoveling

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Western Area VOAD has issued a call for volunteers. 75 to 100 individuals need snow removal from sidewalks, entrances, and driveways in Erie County. Some are unable to leave their residences due to entrance and exit ways being blocked. Most are Seniors or Disabled. If you have resources or volunteers to help please sign up on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAEA92BA4FEC61-53634978-west?useFullSite=true#/ Or if you have any questions, you may contact Western PA UMC Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Leslie Foland, at disasterresponse@wpaumc.org or 814-844-3294.
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Early Response Team Deployed

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Please pray for our Early Response Team that is serving in North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church this week and continuing to clean up from Hurricane Helene. This team is made up of members from Skaneateles United Methodist Church, Massena First UMC, Kenmore United Methodist Church, McKownville Church, Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response , and California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist.
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Preparing for the Winter

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Knoxville Yoked Church Receives Grant from UM Foundation

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L to R:  Ed Stuart, Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist II, Sharon Heck, Gene Heck Impact of Tropical Storm Debby on Local Communities The destruction caused by Tropical Storm Debby in Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, and Union Counties was significant, leading FEMA to issue disaster declarations for these areas. Numerous residents and businesses faced damage and are currently striving to restore their properties.  One church in Knoxville, PA, suffered particularly devastating losses, as an entire wall was washed away due to the flooding. In addition to the wall, they also lost their ADA ramp. Despite these challenges, the community rallied together.  The Cowanesque Church extended an invitation for the Knoxville Yoked Church to join them for Sunday services while repairs were underway.  During this period, the UM Foundation provided a grant of $5,000 to support survivors affected by Tropical Storm Debby, which was awarded to the Knoxville Yoked Church by the Disaster Response Minis...
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IRS Tax Relief after Major Disasters

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IRS offers tax relief after major disasters Disaster relief can be authorized by the IRS when certain criteria from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are met. Generally, the IRS will authorize disaster tax relief to all areas identified on a major disaster declaration if FEMA identifies at least one area qualifying for their Individual Assistance program. Those who have been affected by a disaster can visit Tax relief in disaster situations on IRS.gov for information on what tax relief applies to them and other resources that will help them recover. Tax relief The following types of tax relief are a few of the ways the IRS helps after a major disaster. The IRS gives taxpayers more time to file and pay: Taxpayers whose address of record is in an area qualifying for IRS disaster tax relief will automatically receive extra time from the IRS to file returns and pay taxes. The IRS's disaster assistance page provides updates and links to resources. Information is also availabl...
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Hurricane Helene - ERT and Non-ERTs needed

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We received word from UMCOR that we might be asked to deploy to the south due to the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Right now we have not yet been invited. However, they would like to know if we have anyone that could possibly go when that time comes. Early Response Teams (ERTs) are teams that have been through training to certify them to deploy to disasters. We are always looking for people that would like to complete this training and be available for these types of emergencies. With Huricane Helene there is a possibility that they will take NON-ERTs. Please let Deb Currinder, know if you or any others are interested in the ERT training or deploying in the next few weeks as a NON-ERT. Deb can be reached at drc@susumc.org or 717-766-5376.
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FEMA Assistance Now Available

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FEMA ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE Residents of Lycoming, Potter, Tioga and Union counties are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses caused by Tropical Storm Debby from Aug. 9-10, 2024. FEMA may be able to help you pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other needs caused by the disaster.  LEARN MORE Deb Currinder Disaster Response Coordinator Susquehanna Conference UMC drc@susumc.org office: 717-766-7441, extension 3402 www.susmb.org
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Crisis Cleanup Always Needs Volunteers

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  As you may be aware, Tropical Storm Debby hit the Pennsylvania area in early August, leaving a trail of flooding and destruction. Currently there is a storm, Helene, that is headed for Florida. During these difficult times it is crucial that we all pull together to help one another. In John 15:12 we are told by Jesus, "this is my commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you."  One way you can show that love during any disaster is by volunteering to be a Crisis Cleanup phone volunteer. Crisis Cleanup opens a hotline that allows survivors of disasters to call and register the damage they sustained and request assistance with addressing it. Phone volunteers are the first line of responders who lend an ear and record their needs. This vital work helps organize information that is provided to relief organizations and disaster teams, allowing them to reach the survivors and meet their needs much quicker. Phone volunteering is a great, safe way to do meaningful s...
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Disaster Recovery Centers - Tropical Storm Debby 2024

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Here is a list of  Disaster Recovery Centers provided: Lycoming County Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Company 615 East Route 973 Highway Cogan Station, PA 17728 Hours of operation:  Monday   through   Saturday,   8   a.m.   to   6   p.m.   Tioga County Knoxville Community Center 301 W. Main Street Knoxville, PA 16928 Hours of operation:  Monday   through   Saturday,   8   a.m.   to   6   p.m.   Union County Union County Resource Center 480 Hafer Road Lewisburg, PA 17837 Hours of operation:  Monday   through   Saturday,   8   a.m.   to   6   p.m. Opened Monday, September 23 at 8 a.m. Deb Currinder Disaster Response Coordinator Susquehanna Conference UMC drc@susumc.org office: 717-766-7441, extension 3402 www.susmb.org
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Central PA Counties affected by Tropical Storm Debbie

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There have been many homes in our conference that have been damaged by TS Debby. As of Friday, September 13, 2024, the number is around 140 homes that have qualified as needing major repair or destroyed. This amount of destitution has caused FEMA to issue a Declaration of Individual Assistance to Tioga, Potter, Lycoming, and Union County. We continue to give our support to those areas. If you are in those areas and need assistance, you should call 211. There will also be five Disaster Recovery Centers that will be scheduled to be of assistance. Once those locations, dates, and times are released, I will provide those to you. If you have the desire and skills to help with this recovery, please contact me at drc@susumc.org or 717-766-5376. Deb Currinder Disaster Response Coordinator Susquehanna Conference UMC drc@susumc.org office: 717-766-7441, extension 3402 www.susmb.org
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Upper New York Mission Central HUB

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  We are thankful for our missional partnership with Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response ! We sent out a call last week for help assessing flood damaged homes in Steuben County and we quickly received a response from one of their ERTs who will be serving in Steuben County all week. Upper New York Mission Central HUB  https://www.facebook.com/UNYMission #TogetherInCommunity
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