Lutherans Evaluate Damage from Another Series of Storms in the South

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is
evaluating damage left behind by another round of severe storms
and tornadoes May 10-11 that swept through Arkansas, Georgia,
Missouri and Oklahoma. LDR reported that 22 people died and
hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed in the most recent
storms.
"The late winter and spring have been a busy period for
emergency managers and disaster response groups, and the
headlines of destruction and injuries from strong storms have
become far too frequent. Heavy rains have resulted in widespread
flooding across the country, and tornadoes have ravaged towns and
displaced (people from their) households in several areas," said
the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, acting director of LDR -- a
collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
LDR is in communication with local clergy and community
leaders, said Massey. "There are few ELCA congregations in the
area most recently affected," he said. Local LDR coordinators
throughout the South will continue to connect with other LDR
partners as they assess the long-term needs of the affected
communities, Massey reported.
"It is with hope that we pray for all of God's people
affected by disasters, both our neighbors here in this country
and those around the world," said Massey.

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/disaster

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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