CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is participating in relief efforts in southern Florida, after severe storms struck there Oct. 3-4.
Storms produced more than 15 inches of rain in less than 15 hours, a record rainfall for counties in southern Florida, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
Boward, Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties were declared federal disaster areas, Furst said. About 93,000 houses were surrounded by water, more than 1,000 houses and apartments were destroyed, and another 1,100 homes were heavily damaged, he said.
"Hundreds of farm workers in southern Florida were stranded by flood waters. Some were trapped in their houses for two weeks. Washed-out crops have financially stranded the rest of the workers," Furst said.
Lutheran Disaster Response and other local interfaith organizations will employ a case manager to assess the individual needs of disaster survivors and to coordinate resources. Lutheran Disaster Response provided an initial $10,000 for case management efforts.
Lutheran Social Services of Florida will manage Lutheran Disaster Response relief efforts, with staff from the ELCA Florida- Bahamas Synod and LCMS Florida-Georgia District. Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization based in Minneapolis, and Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis., are also participating in recovery efforts.
"Although this 'no name' disaster in Florida barely made national news, recovery will take a long time," Furst added. --- 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:
ELCA Domestic 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
