CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, continues recovery operations in Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Texas and Wisconsin, after a tropical storm and tornadoes devastated the areas last winter and spring.
"People in [these] areas face an enormous challenge as they rebuild lives after a deadly and destructive spring," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
Twelve people died and hundreds of homes were affected after a series of tornadoes struck four areas of Alabama in December, Furst said. "The Birmingham area needs volunteers to remove debris and rebuild," he said.
In Hoisington, Kan., one person died and 28 were injured when a tornado struck the town on April 24. More than 180 homes were destroyed, 52 sustained major, non- repairable damage and 392 had minor damage, Furst said. "Volunteers are needed for clean-up, repairs and rebuilding," he said.
On Feb. 24, five people were killed when a tornado swept through northern Mississippi, Furst said. "Some 300 homes were either destroyed or damaged. Most severely affected areas included Columbus, Pontotoc and Starkville, Miss.," he said.
Tropical Storm Allison killed 43 people June 9-10. Floods resulting from the storm struck an area from southeast Texas to southern Louisiana, and from Mississippi to Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina, Furst said.
"Assessment of needs continues," he said. "Worst hit is Houston, where it is estimated that damage will reach $4 billion. As many as 20,000 houses may be affected in both Texas and Louisiana," said Furst.
On June 18, a tornado damaged or destroyed about 120 homes in Siren, Wis., Furst said. "At the moment, local clean-up volunteers are needed," he said.
"The [disaster survivors'] needs are deep, but their hopes are high," Furst said. -- -- -- 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
