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