CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS), is organizing recovery work in central and southern Texas after torrential rains and flooding killed 12 people earlier this month.
"For the second time in two years a major disaster has impacted Texas," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director, Lutheran Disaster Response. Early assessment by The American Red Cross indicates that more than 48,000 houses may have been affected by floods following days of torrential rains. The flooding has caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damage to property, he said.
In some places rivers have crested as high as 28 feet above flood stage, reported Furst. Water levels are beginning to fall in the affected areas but, as flood waters move toward the Gulf of Mexico, hundreds of people are being evacuated and more houses will flood. President George W. Bush has approved federal aid for 13 counties and Texas Governor Rick Perry has requested that an addition 17 counties be considered for federal disaster declaration, he said.
Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing the Lutheran Disaster Response relief work. The social service organization has sustained its own disaster, said Furst. "Its New Life Children's Residential Treatment Center received extensive damage when flood waters topped Canyon Dam," he said. Based on what has been observed from a distance, it is believed that at least $2 million is required to rebuild that facility, Furst said.
Lutheran Social Services of the South continues to coordinate the Lutheran Disaster Response recovery work to last year's tropical storm Allison, which caused major flooding in the Houston area.
Initial damage assessment on the recent flooding in central and southern Texas will continue in the next few weeks, Furst said. "Local volunteers will assist with cleanup. Piles of soggy possessions are already appearing on street sides through the neighborhoods of New Braunfels, where people are just now returning from their evacuation," Furst said.
Lutheran Disaster Response is preparing to work with the LCMS Texas District, Austin, and the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod, Seguin, and will participate in interfaith efforts as they are organized in affected communities, Furst said.
"The prayers of God's people are far more powerful than these roaring flood waters," he said. "Prayers will sustain those who are now returning to mud-filled houses, destroyed neighborhoods, and lost treasured items. And, they will sustain those who are responding, providing a helping hand and words of faith and encouragement," he 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
