Lutherans Respond to Southeastern Ohio's Storms

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response is reacting to widespread damage and destruction to 23 counties in southeastern Ohio as a result of recent flash floods and tornado-force winds.  Damage assessment continues and some communities are still inaccessible, reported the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
     Furst met with pastors and disaster coordinators in Cambridge, Ohio, July 15 to learn more about the damage there.  "The pastors described how their rural communities and members have been affected, including many poor and elderly persons.  They spoke of the fury of the storm winds, and ferocity of the flash floods that swept through narrow passes, and the grief and anger being experienced due to the loss of houses and lives," Furst said.
     "The stench of decaying vegetation filled our nostrils.  We saw fields with destroyed crops, piles of debris in front of houses, flooded roads and washed-out bridges," said Furst.
     The ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response, through Lutheran Disaster Response, is helping Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio respond to the disaster.  "At a meeting of a Lutheran strategy team, steps were taken to coordinate equitable distribution of financial grants and to identify a person to serve as a local coordinator to oversee the relief efforts," said Furst.
     "The estimated damage from this summer storm affecting the 23 Ohio counties is second only to last year's flood, which was the state's worst natural disaster," said Furst.  "Cleanup efforts continue.  Volunteers are needed."

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     Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
     of major disasters including the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
     Virgin Islands, please include:

                   Lutheran Disaster Response
                         P.O. Box 71764
                    Chicago, IL  60694-1764
                          800-638-3522

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For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director 1-773-380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html