Carolinas Prepare As Hurricane Florence Approaches.
In the summer of 2018, devastation swept through the Carolinas. The culprit? Hurricane Florence.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has been organizing a volunteer trip in an effort to help communities in the Carolinas recuperate.
“The trip is about doing community service in an area that can not only help but expose students to different things they wouldn’t normally be exposed to,” Danfry Nieves, the AmeriCorps VISTA coordinator at UMPI, said. “I believe college should not just be about lectures and readings.”
Hurricane Florence arrived in the Carolinas on Sept. 14, 2018, causing catastrophic floods throughout the coast. With record-breaking rainfall, the storm caused floods, power outages and emergency evacuation. By the time the storm reached the Carolinas, it had changed from a category four to a category one hurricane. But that didn’t stop it from wreaking havoc. Sadly, the hurricane took the lives of 48 people.
“I figured it was a great way to give back to the community that was affected by the hurricane,” Max Bushman, UMPI student, said. Bushman has been excited for the opportunity and has been fundraising for the trip.
UMPI is organizing the trip through the All Hands and Heart organization in an effort to help with the recovery.
“Many people in Carolina were devastated by Hurricane Florence. This is a way to help with the relief efforts already happening there,” Nieves said. “I think seeing what young students can do from different communities can do wonders for their morale.”
“I’m just looking forward to giving back,” Bushman said.
If you’re interested in giving back and helping with the recovery efforts, please contact Vanessa Pearson at vanessa.pearson@maine.edu or Danfry Nieves at danfry.neives@maine.edu.
