CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response is providing emergency assistance to northeast Iowa residents affected by flood waters May 21. Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Misso= uri Synod (LCMS).
"As much as eight inches of water from heavy rain raised the already overloaded Volga, Crane and Turkey Rivers," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response. "More than 1,500 individuals were displaced and hundreds of homes were affected. Most of the survivors are low-income or elderly persons."
Some small towns were completely submerged and dozens of small businesses were put out of commission by flood waters that covered 13 northeast Iowa counties.
Lutheran Social Service of Iowa, Des Moines, has been responding to the disaster through Lutheran Disaster Response, said Furst. Relief efforts are being coordinated with the ELCA's Northeastern Iowa Synod, LCMS Iowa East District and with local Lutheran pastors.
Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing the extent of the damage. "Resources for children are being distributed and counselors are being deployed. A volunteer coordinator will be hired," said Furst. "Volunteers will be needed for several months to help with mud removal and general clean up."
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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors =
of
major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin =
Islands,=20
please include:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
=
800-638-3522
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
