When Tropical Storm Chantal swept through North Carolina in early July, heavy rains caused severe flooding, impacting many communities in the central part of the state. Saxapahaw United Methodist Church had 18 to 24 inches of water on the main floor and flooded the crawlspace and basement. The parsonage next door also sustained significant damage, with water under the floor and a partially submerged basement.
Recognizing the urgent need, Corridor District Superintendent Rev. Claire Clyburn and Saxapahaw UMC pastor Rev. Mandy Sayers quickly contacted NC Conference Disaster Ministries for help. Within days, Early Response Teams (ERTs) were on the ground.
Photos provided by Rev. Mandy Sayers and Marty Hunicutt.
ERTs began work over 12 days in July and August, removing flooring, drywall, and furniture. By the end of the response, crews had cleared 38,610 pounds of debris. Although a lot of debris was removed, some items could still be saved for future use.
Bottom left photo provided by Jim Polhamus.
Forty-two churches, nonprofit organizations, and contractors came together to help Saxapahaw UMC. In total, 148 volunteers contributed approximately 1,491 hours, providing an estimated $51,870 in volunteer labor.
Despite the damage, Saxapahaw UMC never stopped serving its community. Partnering with local churches and neighbors, they continued offering worship and outreach during the recovery process.
Many families in surrounding communities are still grappling with the storm’s aftermath. If you are interested in serving on an ERT, please contact us at disaster@nccumc.org to learn more about how you can help!
Thank you to every team, church, and partner who generously shared their gifts to help Saxapahaw UMC and central NC communities begin to recover!