When natural disasters strike, media coverage intensifies as first responders rush to affected areas. But what happens after the cameras leave and communities face the tireless task of rebuilding? In 2024, many American communities dealt with this challenge as they recovered from devastating fires and hurricanes, revealing both the struggles and resilience in disaster recovery.
For fire-affected communities, the recovery process begins with uncertainty. Evacuees return home after having left behind almost everything they own, not knowing what is left standing. They often lack of important resources like power, gas and water due to fire damage. These individuals must also find new places to shop for food, clothes and important utilities, as local stores and restaurants are likely shut down due to the fire.
In addition, victims of fires often don’t have the funds to rebuild their homes. Rachel Traficante, a woman who lost her home in the Park fires in California, shares her losses from the fire and the financial struggles in the recovery process with the KWED public media. She and her husband had lived in a beautiful home located in the woods for over 20 years. “It was really sweet because, after 20 years, this barn that was always evolving was finally done,” Traficante said. “Then we just lost all of it.” Traficante shared that since she had no insurance, no funds were readily available to cover rebuilding expenses. Most of the funds she received came from a GoFundMe that her father had initiated for her. Her situation highlights a broader issue: According to the Consumer Federation of America, many American homeowners lack insurance coverage, with lower-income households being twice as likely to be uninsured.
Hurricane-affected regions face their own set of challenges. Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in October and September of 2024 resulted in millions of dollars in damage and thousands of people lost their homes. According to a Sci NC interview, North Carolina residents in cities like Asheville were left with unsafe drinking water, due to the high pollution and contamination brought on by floods from the hurricane. Many streets and roads near mountains in North Carolina were destroyed, severing crucial connections between communities.The recovery effort involved weeks of contractor and volunteer work to clear debris and pollutants.
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) often supplies victims of disasters with grants that are helpful in financial recovery, there is only so much the government can provide. Many families still rely on additional support. This additional support can be provided through charities, donations, and volunteer groups. Volunteer groups like the Animal Disaster Group help individuals look for lost pets and care for them while evacuees of disasters are looking for a place to stay. Other volunteer groups like the Samaritan group help individuals look for lost items in the rubble and debris left behind.
Yet, sometimes the biggest source of support can come from within the community itself. Hartwell Carson, a man impacted by the hurricane in North Carolina, spoke of his community’s support saying, “… going around to all of these communities, it was really heartwarming to see the resilience of people, like just coming together and checking up on their neighbor, helping chainsaw people out of their homes, and cooking meals for people. …” Oftentimes communities rely on the people within as they work together in the process of recovery.
The spirit of service can also extend beyond local boundaries. For those looking for ways to contribute to the long recovery process of disaster-stricken communities from afar, charity organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way and TeamRubicon provide crucial support during disaster recovery, from offering emergency supplies to helping communities in the process of rebuilding. People can contribute through donations, supply drives or even participating as volunteers.
There may also be local options for Andrews University community members to contribute. For example, in the fall semester of 2024, Andrews University launched an initiative to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene by helping students at a few North Carolina Adventist schools, which included Fletcher Academy, Mount Pisgah Academy and Captain Gilmer. From Oct. 24-29, 2024, the university organized a virtual mission trip through a collaborative effort between the Center for Faith Engagement, International Center for Trauma Education and Care, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Seventh-day Adventist School Consultation. The initiative allowed students, staff and volunteers to provide support through virtual sessions, offering their time to assist these affected academic institutions without any costs. Community members should keep an eye out for future opportunities to help disaster survivors.
Ultimately, as displayed through these communities’ journey, a big foundation for recovery lies within the strength of neighbors helping neighbors through the unification of communities. Whether it's sharing a meal, joining in cleanup efforts or offering temporary housing, small acts of service within communities create a powerful connection of resilience that carries communities through the journey of recovery. The ultimate hope is that support, both from outside and from within a community, works together not just to rebuild, but to help a community emerge stronger and more united than before.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.