Lutherans Respond to Floods in Georgia

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is responding to flood-stricken areas along the Flint River in Georgia. Heavy rains have caused the river and its tributaries to crest, forcing 11,000 people to evacuate their homes March 9-10.
"It is estimated that about 250 homes in Lee County and 500 homes in Albany have been flooded," said the Rev. Charles A. Thompson, Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Albany, Ga.
An initial grant of $7,000 and urgently needed supplies to assist flood victims were provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. "Damage assessment will continue for the next few weeks," said the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, director for Lutheran Disaster Response. "At this time the emphasis is on providing emergency grants and clean up work by local volunteers," he said.
"The river has receded, but the ground is saturated and vulnerable to additional rain," said Phillips.
"To date three families at Lutheran Church of Our Savior had flood waters in their homes and one family at Trinity Lutheran Church," said Thompson. "Many others had water in their yards and were evacuated. In some ways a foot of water is no less traumatic than six feet of water," he said.
"With few exceptions, homes that were flooded in 1994 are facing the same fate this year. That in itself will cause much anxiety and need for pastoral care over the coming weeks," said Thompson. In 1994 flood waters from the Flint River caused more than 5,000 people in Albany and neighboring areas to evacuate their homes, he said.

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