wfn.org | Lutherans Contribute to Cleanup Efforts after Floods in Missouri

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 24, 2000

LUTHERANS CONTRIBUTE TO CLEANUP EFFORTS AFTER FLOODS IN MISSOURI
00-141-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran 
Church-Missouri Synod, provided an initial $5,000 grant for emergency 
needs and recovery efforts after a storm produced floods in east-central 
Missouri May 13-14.
     "As much as 14 inches of rain fell west and south of St. Louis,
when a large storm system passed through the region," said the Rev.
Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response and a pastor
of the ELCA.  "Hardest hit were Franklin and Jefferson counties."
     "There were two vehicle-related deaths," Furst said.  "The floods
resulted in the destruction of about 100 homes and damaged about 400
more.  Estimates on the number of people displaced are not yet
available," he said.
     About 11 percent of the residences affected had insurance
coverage, Furst said.  More than 60 percent "of the families and
individuals affected are in the low-income bracket," he said.
     Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, St. Louis,
will manage Lutheran Disaster Response efforts.  Local Lutheran pastors
and representatives from Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), based in
Appleton, Wis., and Lutheran Brotherhood (LB), based in Minneapolis,
will participate in relief efforts.  AAL and LB are fraternal benefits
organizations.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside 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

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html