Lutherans Organize Recovery Work in Minnesota

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is organizing recovery work in Roseau and Warroad, cities in northern Minnesota, after five to 12 inches of rainfall produced flooding there and in surrounding areas June 9-10.
The Roseau River crested at a record 23.2 feet, more than seven feet above flood stage, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, LDR director. "The situation became worse [on June 11] when the river broke through a sandbag dike that was reinforcing a levee designed to hold back the river at 22 feet," he said.
Initial reports indicate that 95 percent of Roseau and 90 percent of Warroad have some water damage. Assessments are still in progress, Furst said.
"Roseau is a community of about 2,700 people," said the Rev. Rolf P. Wangberg, bishop of the ELCA Northwestern Minnesota Synod, Moorhead. "We estimate that 600 to 800 homes are severely damaged in Roseau. We have no idea of the country homes," he said.
There are three ELCA congregations in Roseau -- Messiah Lutheran Church, Moe Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church, said Wangberg. "Messiah was above the flood, but water came almost up to the building. Moe and First had basements full of water. All three parsonages had basements full of water," he said.
"Warroad is on the banks of Lake of the Woods, one of the largest fresh water lakes in the United States, lying partially in Minnesota and part in Canada. Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad was not flooded. Riverside Lutheran Church in Wannaska was saved by a dike," Wangberg said.
"Perhaps the saddest and most difficult to assess is the damage to farm land," Wangberg said. "Many farmers have lost their total crop. Farm lands still look like lakes. Many farmers have lost the top soil from their fields and once-fertile farm land has been turned into gravel and rock. Those who have crop insurance say the insurance will cover only the cost of putting in the crop; it will provide no income," he said.
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota is managing the LDR recovery efforts. An initial $10,000 grant has been provided by LDR to assist with emergency needs and cleanup. LDR is working with Wangberg and the Rev. David Bode, president of the LCMS Minnesota North District, Brainerd, to assess needs and rally local support and assistance.
"Only local cleanup volunteers are needed at this point. Travel is difficult and dangerous," Furst said. LDR is developing a plan to coordinate local individuals or groups through Lutheran congregations in the area. LDR is working with local staff of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and of Baptist and United Methodist churches, he said.
"As the church responds with prayers and donations, the survivors are aware that in the midst of their losses God loves them, and God's people will offer help and hope now and for the long haul," said Furst. -- -- --
Photographs from Roseau and Warroad, Minn., can be found on the ELCA Northwestern Minnesota Synod's Web site at http://www.nwmnsynod.org on the Internet.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

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ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
800-638-3522

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