CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is taking part in recovery efforts in more than seven U.S. states, after floods resulting from Tropical Storm Allison struck an area from Texas to Florida June 9-10.
"This storm left behind a long trail of death and destruction from Texas to Louisiana, and Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
"At least 43 deaths have been verified, 16 in Houston. One person who drowned there was a Lutheran. Many are still missing," said Furst. "Emergency workers rescued hundreds [of people] from atop stranded automobiles, housetops, fences and trees," he said.
"Rain totaling 36 inches fell in Houston and 19 inches in Baton Rouge, La.," Furst said. "The loss of lives and the damage of tens of thousands of homes are numbing. The full impact is still unmeasured. Some communities are without phone and electrical service," he said.
Furst traveled to Houston on June 14. He met with 50 members of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church (a congregation of the ELCA), pastors and staff of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and the LCMS Texas District.
"Congregation after congregation reported their first count of families affected. The first tally was nearly 560, and it is expected that number could double," he said.
"We drove through some of the flood-affected areas in northern Houston. We saw the familiar and heart-breaking sight of water- soaked family possessions piled high at the curb. Personal memories, baby toys, family photos, favorite chairs, sports equipment, books and letters were soggy heaps ready to be hauled away. High temperatures and humidity are already producing mold problems there," Furst said.
"Immediate needs and damages continue to be assessed," he said. Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing recovery efforts on behalf of Lutheran Disaster Response, along with the ELCA Texas- Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and the LCMS Texas District. Lutheran Disaster Response provided an initial grant of $25,000 to Lutheran Social Services of the South.
As of June 22, "$170,900 in emergency funds have been distributed to 570 families in Texas," Furst said. "More then 50 Lutheran congregations there are affected," he said.
"Lutheran Disaster Response will continue a two-pronged response in Texas and Louisiana, working with Lutheran congregations to wider communities and participating in inter-faith efforts as they are organized," said Furst. - - - 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
