Tornado Buckets: A New Tool in Disaster Response

3/6/2023

Earlier this month, The Nett UMC included a pilot project for Disaster Response as part of their Mission Sunday—Tornado Buckets. 

Just as UMCOR Cleaning Buckets (or "Flood Buckets") include key, immediate needs of those experiencing hurricane and flooding, Tornado Buckets are filled with supplies needed immediately after a tornado or wind damage.

Tornado buckets were developed by the Disaster Response Warehouse in Decatur, Alabama. They have been assembled and deployed there for a few years. While Cleaning Buckets are needed and regularly deployed to our neighboring Annual Conferences, Tornado Buckets have more local application for us in North Georgia. As weather patterns change in our area, we have seen a sharp increase in tornadoes and severe weather locally. 

The Nett had 164 participants in Mission Sunday and the project went smoothly. The church recently delivered the Tornado Buckets to the North Georgia Conference Disaster Response Warehouse. 

Tornado Buckets include:

  • 50 count #8 common nails in a plastic bottle (to hold tarps/ furring strips)
  • 1 pair leather palm/ cloth back gloves
  • 1 magic marker (to mark boxes)
  • 1 wide cellophane tape ( for packing boxes)
  • 12 black trash bags with draw strings (heavy duty 33-50 gallon size for trash)
  • 10 clear or white 13 gallon kibagsen trash bas with draw strings (to salvage items)
  • 10 - 1 gallon zip lock baggies (for jewelry & smaller retrieved items)
  • 1 box cutter
  • 1 roll toilet paper in zip lock bag
  • 1 standard size claw hammer
  • 1 pair safety glasses
  • 6 clear large plastic bags (40-55 gallon to cover blown out windows)
  • 1 pencil & sharpener
  • Small shirt pocket style notebook
  • 3 tampons or pads in zip lock bag
  • Flashlight & batteries separate
  • Insect repellant- spray bottle or wipes


Like all UMCOR Relief Kits, all of these specific supplies must be included (no more, no less). 

Churches interested in assembling Tornado Buckets may reach out to Rev. Scott Parrish, NGUMC Disaster Response Coordinator, for full instructions and for information on delivery to the Disaster Response Warehouse. 

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