wfn.org | Lutherans Prepare for Floods

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

April 7, 1997

LUTHERANS PREPARE FOR FLOODS

A Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) coalition in eastern North
Dakota has developed two approaches to cope with possible
flooding along the Red River and Sheyenne River and in the
Devil's Lake area.  The first is to provide information for
congregational leaders and individuals about local and
statewide response efforts being organized, to offer use of
church facilities where feasible and to support volunteer
efforts in vulnerable communities, according to the Rev. Leon
A. Phillips Jr., LDR executive director.  "Many communities
are organizing sandbag details and are taking other
preparatory and preventive measures," Phillips reported.  In
the event of serious flooding, the coalition's second
approach will be to make plans to add Lutheran volunteer
crews to the general cleanup effort, to identify drop-off and
distribution points for emergency supplies and to communicate
needs quickly to congregations and other agencies.  The
potential for flooding has increased with the thawing of
record winter snowfalls in the area.  LDR is a joint ministry
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Participants in the
coalition include Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota,
the ELCA North Dakota Synod and the LCMS North Dakota
District.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html

Editors:  When listing organizations receiving funds for aid
to survivors of major disasters including the United States,
Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

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