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When flash floods in West Virginia left at least 23 dead and devastated more than 1,000 homes, FEMA officials like Richard Morris rushed to the scene to help.
A Mississippi College graduate, Morris estimates he’s assisted more than 150 people in West Virginia since the disaster hit the Mountaineer State in late June.
The 27-year-old Mississippian is working incredibly long hours at a Disaster Recovery Center in White Sulphur Springs. Assisting up to 25 people daily, Richard may stick with it until late August. Cities received over nine inches of rain to cause numerous rivers, streams and creeks to overflow their banks. The heavy flooding and mudslides continue to cause heartache for thousands of West Virginians this summer.
“Day to day, I’m working at the DRC talking to disaster survivors about the damages to their homes, businesses and property,” Morris said. “I am also helping residents apply for federal assistance.”
His title is applicant services program specialist, but he will do whatever tasks that FEMA leaders put on his plate.
Even the state’s historic resort, the 2,000-employee Greenbrier, wasn’t spared. Located in southern West Virginia, the Greenbrier closed for two weeks, and should reopen on July 12. A dozen West Virginia counties were severely impacted by the powerful storms. President Obama declared the hardest hit counties to be disaster areas.
An MC communication graduate, Morris arrived in West Virginia with extensive experience responding to disasters. After graduating from the Christian university in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in communication, Richard moved to Baltimore, Maryland for an 11-month FEMA Corps internship. As a FEMA Field Team leader, he was overseeing six people deployed to various disasters.
After working at a FEMA regional field office in New York City, Richard was deployed to South Carolina to assist flood victims seeking federal aid. He later went to work with FEMA regional staff in Seattle, Washington to develop a stronger preparedness campaign. Richard worked just one month in Seattle before being dispatched to Oregon after a disaster struck. He assisted with communications efforts.
His days in West Virginia seem endless. The wake-up alarm sounds at 5:30 a.m. and he devours breakfast before his 15-mile drive to the Disaster Recovery Center in Sulphur Springs. He works at the center until 7 p.m., grabs a bite to eat, checks email and important phone calls during evening hours until 11 p.m. That’s his schedule seven days a week. Coffee is a must!
But the Flowood, Mississippi resident (he eventually returns home to the Magnolia State) never tires of his life as a FEMA staffer. It’s a good fit with his education at Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College.
“To me, as a Christian, working with FEMA at these disasters can be a mission field to lead and talk to people about Jesus Christ,” Morris said. “Disasters are tough times and that is when the work of Jesus Christ can really shine through.”
Despite all the sadness a disaster brings, he said, there are blessings, too. “Jesus is really working in this town.”
Richard’s work ethic, persistence and skills with people have caught the eye of his former supervisor. “His love and compassion for helping others in need helps him excel in this field of long hours with little to no sleep,” says Glenn Kasper, Eagle Unit leader with the FEMA Corps in Baltimore. “I know he will do great things working for FEMA.”
Morris comes from a state quite familiar with disasters – from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to numerous cases of tornadoes slamming small communities.
The Mississippi College grad recently received several awards. One was the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award. Instead of doing the minimum of 1,950 hours, Morris completed more than 2,500 service hours.
What’s his favorite part about working for FEMA?
“I get to give back to my country and those affected by disasters get back on their feet,” says the 2008 Terry High graduate. “This is my calling from Christ in a way I never thought of when I was growing up.”
