CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is responding to a series of powerful tornadoes in northern and central Florida that left at least 39 people dead, hundreds injured and thousands homeless. "Some of the tornadoes may have had wind speeds as high as 210 miles per hour," reported the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, director for the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response. The tornadoes are the deadliest recorded in Florida since the 1960s.
"At present there is limited access to severely hit areas," said Phillips. Tornadoes cut a 50-mile swath across central Florida, from Tampa Bay on the Gulf of Mexico to Daytona Beach on the Atlantic coast, Feb. 23.
To provide an immediate emergency response to the disaster, "an initial cash grant was given to help people who have been affected by the tornadoes," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Food distribution centers have been set up in the Kissimmee area, Furst reported.
"Three gatherings will be held to prepare Lutheran pastors and other clergy on the dynamics of disasters and how to provide ministry to people affected by a disaster," said Furst. The gatherings will be held in Longwood, St. Cloud and Winter Garden, Fla.
"There were no reports of damage to any Lutheran churches, although individual members may well have been affected by the series of storms," said Phillips.
Lutheran Disaster Response and the ELCA's Florida-Bahamas Synod "will be working closely together to assess immediate needs," said Phillips.
DOMESTIC DISASTERS
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
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
