CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Hurricane Katrina appears to be one of the
largest hurricanes to ever impact the United States, according to
Heather L. Feltman, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and
the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Lutheran Disaster Response
is "standing ready" to respond, she said.
"Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southern Florida last
week, where it caused significant flooding. Accessibility is
limited in some low-lying areas," said Feltman. Flood water and
tropical storm force winds -- still happening in the Florida Keys
-- hinder clean-up work, she said. Feltman also serves as
director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.
Lutheran Disaster Response is "standing ready to enter
impacted areas as soon as it is deemed safe to do so," said
Feltman.
"We have been in contact with our judicatory leaders and
will share information as we receive it. Mandatory evacuation
has been ordered for New Orleans and the Mississippi coast. Our
Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators will be organizing
volunteers to assist in the removal of debris and clean up as
soon as possible," she said.
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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid
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, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet:
http://www.ELCA.org/scriptlib/dcm/giving/ddisaster.asp
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
