WNCC UMC Disaster Response

10/19/2026

"My job is to help figure out what we’re doing… to help get people back into safe, sanitary, and secure housing.”

Meet Maggie Armstrong, Director of Recovery for WNCCUMC Disaster Ministries! From coordinating staffing and volunteer efforts to managing resources and daily operations, Maggie leads our long-term recovery strategy across Western North Carolina.

10/15/2026

At the recent WNC Helene American Red Cross Partners meeting, WNCCUMC Disaster Ministries team members Elizabeth Dameco, AMY Regional Team Lead and Juanita Nidiffer, AMY Region Disaster Case Manager, were honored to share insights from the field. Elizabeth participated in a panel discussion alongside representatives from W**e To Water,Baptists On Mission, Watauga Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), and World Renew.

Strong partnerships build a strong recovery!

10/09/2026

There's a potential for localized flooding in WNC Saturday as Hurricane Isaias moves through, via Brad Panovich Meteorologist. Preparedness provides peace of mind in the midst of a situation that can be difficult for many of us.

We encourage you to:
📋 Write down your household information and plan
🧰 Gather 72 hours of supplies
📍 Learn where your local shelters are

Learn more on our website and NC Emergency Management

📷: U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)

10/07/2026

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9. We love hearing from our volunteers about how their mission experience impacted their lives.

Bill Botts, Team Leader from Fredericksburg UMC, shared, "Members of our 'Grassy Creek Nine' team have now been to WNC three times for Hurricane Helene disaster recovery. This was one of our most enjoyable and fulfilling mission trips together, especially given our engagement with homeowners Mike and Erin and the natural beauty and hospitality of Ashe County, all of which made the area a "thin space" for us...a space where the distance between the sacred and the ordinary shrank and the boundary between the earthly and the spiritual realms felt remarkably fine or porous."

10/05/2026

Meet Brian Mateer, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator for WNCCUMC Disaster Ministries! From training Early Response Teams (ERTs) to supporting our on-the-ground staff handling long-term housing projects, Brian focuses on keeping our conference prepared before crisis hits and organized when recovery begins.

10/02/2026

Gathering around the table to connect, listen, and reflect.

Every Thursday, West Jefferson UMC hosts a weekly dinner for our clients and visiting volunteer teams. Here's a look back at this gathering from April with the Woodalls alongside volunteers from Bethlehem UMC (Moneta, VA) and Christ Church NYC—sharing a warm meal, fellowship, and music together.

09/28/2026

When Hurricane Helene swept through Barnardsville two years ago, fallen trees tore through the roof of Tommy and Alice’s home—the place they’ve loved and lived in for over 15 years. For months, uncertainty hung over their heads, until our teams stepped in to put a brand-new roof on their house.

Last week, Governor Josh Stein, along with members of his cabinet, joined us on-site in Barnardsville, rebuilding rotten decks, replacing flooring, and helping get this home back to where it should be.

Many thanks to Governor Stein and all those who have made this recovery work possible.

North Carolina Department of Transportation
NC Department of Administration
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
North Carolina Department of Information Technology
North Carolina Department of Commerce
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
North Carolina Department of Revenue
NC.dmva
NC Office of State Human Resources
Office of State Budget Management

09/28/2026

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene brought massive flooding to Western NC. Today, we celebrate the resilience of our community, the ongoing generosity of those who serve alongside us, and how far we have walked together on the road to recovery.

2,276 volunteers from 21 states & Puerto Rico
72,000+ volunteer hours
273 households & 533 individuals served

Thank you to everyone who has joined us in service, prayer, and giving.

09/27/2026

09/24/2026

Meet Kasey, Administrative Assistant for WNCCUMC Disaster Ministries!

While our construction coordinators and case managers are on job sites across Western NC, Kasey keeps the operation running smoothly from the conference office. From handling daily logistics to supporting our field staff, her work ensures our team stays equipped to serve families efficiently. Kasey also loves to trade her keyboard for work gloves to volunteer on our active project sites.