U.S. - Minnesota

After the flood waters recede

When Rushford, Minnesota, received 17 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, the streets were flooded with five feet of standing water. In the days that followed, the residents of Rushford were also flooded by help and support pouring in from people across the country.

Today, over a year later, television reporters and first responders have left the scene. Most have forgotten about Rushford and the hardship that remains for many of its residents. But Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is there, committed to the long-term rebuilding efforts that remain.

Brian Chladek (pictured on far right), a local general contractor, is used to hard work but didn’t know what was in store for him after the flood waters receded in Rushford. Moved by the scope of the devastation, Brian met with representatives of LDR and helped develop a plan to build new homes for as many families as possible. Along with the help of several case managers, Brian and other volunteers have brought a sense of restoration to the small town. As he celebrated another house dedication with a homeowner and other LDR staff (pictured above), Brian said, “It might look like we’re just building homes. But what we are really doing here is providing hope.”

With LDR, this sort of story is not the exception; it is the rule. With your help and the dedication of people like Brian, LDR is there to provide help and hope through long-term recovery.

Your gifts to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response support Lutheran Disaster Response in long-term recovery efforts in places like Rushford, Minn., across the United States and the Caribbean.