IOCC – Rebuilding Homes and Lives in Coastal Alabama
An IOCC-led AmeriCorps team, with pandemic protocols in place, helped Nick (far left) and dozens of others affected by hurricanes take the first steps toward recovery.
IOCC – 24/3/21
The 2020 hurricane season set records and uprooted the lives of thousands along the US Gulf Coast. The storms were raging in an increasingly dangerous world: the COVID-19 pandemic was spiralling out of control. But IOCC’s emergency response had to continue. Our teams adopted new safety protocols and got back to work, committed to helping our neighbors in need safely and effectively.
Nick, an Alabamian, had already been suffering from a disability and a heart condition before the storms hit — and then Hurricane Sally left his property covered by the giant trunks and branches of downed pecan trees. A fence was wrecked, and the house was nearly unreachable.
IOCC staff led a team of AmeriCorps volunteers to Nick’s house. Our team worked on the property for two days, clearing the house and yard of dangerous debris. Nick thanked our staff with a delicious pizza dinner. We’re very glad we got to meet Nick, and we look forward to serving others in the year ahead.
Help us reach more people like Nick in the aftermath of disasters, as we respond to needs in the US and around the world.
