CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The scope of the disaster is enormous, according to the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response. Fourteen months after Tropical Storm Allison "brought death and destruction" to Texas and through the New England area, "recovery efforts are slow in coming together," he said.
Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). It has been active in the Houston area "from the very first day of the flooding," Furst said.
Tropical Storm Allison produced more than 35 inches of rain in Houston, causing more than $4 billion worth of damage, he said. "The storm was responsible for 43 deaths. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that nearly 119,000 people registered for help just in the Houston city area. More than 47,000 houses were damaged, 3,600 totally destroyed. Nearly one-third of the affected are people over the age of 62, with an average annual income of $14,000 or less. This is the second-largest natural disaster to which FEMA has ever responded," Furst said.
Furst was in Houston Aug. 2, meeting with local people who are coordinating relief services, homeowners affected by floods produced by the tropical storm, and volunteers.
"Thousands of people have not been able to return to their homes, or, even worse, continue to live in flood-damaged houses that are in disrepair and full of mold. It was a startling sight for me, as we drove through neighborhoods, to see new piles of moldy furniture and insulation being brought to curb-sides for removal 14 months after the floods," said Furst.
Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing recovery efforts on behalf of Lutheran Disaster Response.
The promise of the church is to be involved for "the long haul," to bring help and hope to those who have been affected, said Furst. "But the church can only be involved and remain involved with the support of its members."
Support is needed, Furst said. Prayers for the tens of thousands of people still affected by the tropical storm and for those who are present to help are needed. Remember especially the elderly, people with disabilities and the non-English speaking population, he said.
Volunteer support is also needed. Next month Lutheran Disaster Response will work with skilled volunteers from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. Lutheran Disaster Response is making a major effort to repair and rebuild houses in the last quarter of 2002, Furst said.
Thirty volunteers from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Ill., and 10 volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church, Lemoyne, Pa., are working in Houston presently, Furst said.
"Contributions are needed to provide for immediate needs, repair and rebuilding supplies, and to deliver spiritual and emotional support to the survivors and the care-givers," said Furst. -- -- -- ELCA Domestic Disaster Response "Tropical Storm Allison" P.O. Box 71764 Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: www.elca.org/disaster
Skilled volunteers can call 1-713-647-9860.
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
