United States

HURRICANE MICHAEL RESPONSE - 2018

Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 4 storm on October 10th, 2018. With winds recorded over 155 mph and a pressure of 919 millibars, Michael was the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the Florida Panhandle and one of the strongest on record to hit the continental United States. The storm’s path left massive destruction of infrastructure and trees and widespread power outages. Among those most vulnerable to the storm were coastal and rural communities who were unprepared for such strong winds and rain and the resulting destruction. Responding to hurricane Michael, GER³ focused on maximizing impact for a few select families in a particularly vulnerable town. The team supported a local entrepreneur with a small logging business to provide debris removal for families in Blountstown.

HURRICANE FLORENCE RESPONSE - 2018

As Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, on September 14th, a GER³ disaster response team immediately deployed to the region with equipment for relief and recovery. The team, in partnership with J/P HRO, targeted efforts towards critically vulnerable families affected by the flooding in Robeson County, North Carolina. The response included: Muck outs and debris clearance, pumps (for pumping water from homes), dehumidifiers & fans, clean-up kits, and identification and supply of contractors to support with mold remediation. For more details about the specific response efforts, partnerships, and results in Robeson county, please visit the project page.

AMHERST COUNTY, VA TORNADO RESPONSE - 2018

GER³ supported a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity to deliver tornado recovery supplies to Amherst County, Virginia. After being hit by an EF 2 tornado on April 15, the county is still recovering and rebuilding the over 140 houses and structures severely damaged by the storm. Volunteers Margaret and Thomas Bacon helped load a truck provided by GER³ in Winchester and transported the donations to the Habitat in Amherst Country.

HURRICANE HARVEY RESPONSE - 2017

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, GER³ sent three response personnel to help the local community recovery their livelihoods. Support included cleaning kits, water pumping services and mold remediation efforts to help affected families return home safely once flood waters had receeded. GER³ volunteers delivered the kits and worked together with families to clean out and disinfect their homes. Disinfectants such as chlorine were extremely important, due to mold and disease-carrying residue that remained as a result of the flood waters. GER³ provided water pumping services to lower standing water from houses, which can create serious health concerns as mosquitos breed other sicknesses develop in the standing pools. Some houses had swimming pools which were also dangerous vector breeding grounds.

RESPONSE TO IRMA & MARIA - 2017

GER³ partnered with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization St. Croix to conduct an assessment mission in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. The assessment evaluated the needs of US Virgin Islands (USVI) populations as well as the effectiveness of pre-existing response efforts. Over the course of the mission the assessment team was able to talk to over 60 interlocutors in USVI, including representation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, the USVI government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.