wfn.org | Lutherans Say Recovery Efforts Slow in Texas

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 8, 2002

LUTHERANS SAY RECOVERY EFFORTS SLOW IN TEXAS
02-191-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The scope of the disaster is enormous, according
to the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
Fourteen months after Tropical Storm Allison "brought death and
destruction" to Texas and through the New England area, "recovery
efforts are slow in coming together," he said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
(LCMS).  It has been active in the Houston area "from the very first day
of the flooding," Furst said.
     Tropical Storm Allison produced more than 35 inches of rain in
Houston, causing more than $4 billion worth of damage, he said.  "The
storm was responsible for 43 deaths.  The Federal Emergency Management
Agency reports that nearly 119,000 people registered for help just in
the Houston city area.  More than 47,000 houses were damaged, 3,600
totally destroyed.  Nearly one-third of the affected are people over the
age of 62, with an average annual income of $14,000 or less.  This is
the second-largest natural disaster to which FEMA has ever responded,"
Furst said.
     Furst was in Houston Aug. 2, meeting with local people who are
coordinating relief services, homeowners affected by floods produced by
the tropical storm, and volunteers.
     "Thousands of people have not been able to return to their homes,
or, even worse, continue to live in flood-damaged houses that are in
disrepair and full of mold.  It was a startling sight for me, as we
drove through neighborhoods, to see new piles of moldy furniture and
insulation being brought to curb-sides for removal 14 months after the
floods," said Furst.
     Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing recovery efforts
on behalf of Lutheran Disaster Response.
     The promise of the church is to be involved for "the long haul,"
to bring help and hope to those who have been affected, said Furst.
"But the church can only be involved and remain involved with the
support of its members."
     Support is needed, Furst said.  Prayers for the tens of thousands
of people still affected by the tropical storm and for those who are
present to help are needed.  Remember especially the elderly, people
with disabilities and the non-English speaking population, he said.
     Volunteer support is also needed.  Next month Lutheran Disaster
Response will work with skilled volunteers from the Christian Reformed
World Relief Committee.  Lutheran Disaster Response is making a major
effort to repair and rebuild houses in the last quarter of 2002, Furst
said.
     Thirty volunteers from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church,
Schaumburg, Ill., and 10 volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church,
Lemoyne, Pa., are working in Houston presently, Furst said.
     "Contributions are needed to provide for immediate needs, repair
and rebuilding supplies, and to deliver spiritual and emotional support
to the survivors and the care-givers," said Furst.
-- -- --
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
"Tropical Storm Allison"
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
     Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
     Credit card gifts via Internet:   www.elca.org/disaster

Skilled volunteers can call 1-713-647-9860.

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