CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Four counties in northeastern Iowa have been declared federal disaster sites and seven counties have been declared state disaster sites after extensive flooding this summer, said 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 (LCMS).
One person died and at least 2,500 houses were affected by the floods, Furst said.
"This is the second time this year Iowa has been affected by record or near-record floods. In May, flash flooding swept through 13 northeastern counties as eight inches of rain raised the already overflowing Volga, Crane and Turkey rivers," said Furst.
Lutheran Disaster Response is providing emergency cash grants to individuals, many who are without flood insurance. Damage assessments continue in many small towns and rural areas. Furst said local volunteers are "hard at work" cleaning up mud and debris. Resources for children are being distributed, and counselors have been deployed.
Relief efforts are being coordinated by Lutheran Social Service of Iowa, ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, LCMS Iowa East District and local Lutheran pastors.
"We are also working with the Iowa Interfaith Disaster Response Network, which will respond to unmet needs," said Furst.
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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, 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
