Mississippi Conference Disaster Response

Disaster Response Update | May 2026 Storms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2026

Grace and peace to each of you,

On May 6, 2026, a significant severe weather outbreak impacted communities across Mississippi, producing multiple tornado warnings, damaging winds, large hail and periods of heavy rainfall. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Association (MEMA), several counties have reported structural damage to homes, businesses, utility infrastructure and transportation routes as fast-moving storms tracked across the region. Emergency personnel are working to conduct damage assessments and restore critical services in affected areas. Clergy in the affected areas can help tremendously by reporting specific needs directly to your district office or to my office at [email protected].

Do not self-deploy into damaged communities. In trying to help, we inadvertently can cause harm.

The Mississippi Conference Disaster Response Team is monitoring this situation to see how the Mississippi Conference can be most effective in helping the impacted communities. We will share this information through multiple sources so that everyone will be informed. Remember, together we are all United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

In the meantime, here are three important ways you can help:

Pray for disaster survivors, first-responders and those coordinating local responses. Also pray that basic needs will be met and that communities will experience resilience.
Serve others by making a relief supply kit or giving to the purchasing of kit supplies for disaster affected communities. Click here for information on how your local church can assemble kits. Consider serving as an early response team (ERT) member. Special invitations will be going out to ERTs to assist in the relief phase. ERT training for groups is available upon request.
Give donations that enable UMCOR to respond quickly and effectively to disasters as they arise. You can help support the Mississippi Annual Conference Disaster Response by clicking here to donate online or by mailing your donations to:
Miss. Conference of The United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 1603 | Jackson, MS 39215-1603
*If the donation is designated for this event, write “May 2026 Storms” in the memo line.

Please prayerfully consider the options above and respond accordingly. Many thanks for being the Church in ways that matter!

from the desk of
Rev. Dayna Goff
Director of Connectional Ministries and Spiritual Leadership
Mississippi United Methodist Conference
601.354.0515 |[email protected]

We’ve often told our volunteers that the 11th Commandment is “Thou shall be flexible” Rev Terry shares a story about one of those times

https://www.facebook.com/share/19WgnxQ2JL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Disaster coordinator recalls Katrina | UMNews.org Mississippi pastor recalls how Hurricane Katrina touched the hearts of both survivors and volunteers.

Today we were thrilled to welcome Ms Whitney back to her completely renovated home! Although not totally destroyed, her family home had been severely damaged in the March 2023 tornado. We loved bringing it back to life for her and her family! Welcome Home again Ms Whitney, Welcome Home!

Delta Force Disaster Recovery
UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief
Community Foundation of Washington County