wfn.org | Lutherans Provide Disaster Response in Three U.S. States

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 29, 2002

LUTHERANS PROVIDE DISASTER RESPONSE IN THREE U.S. STATES
02-207-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod (LCMS), is organizing recovery work in Ogallah, Neb.,
and east-central South Dakota, after storms destroyed homes and land;
and in Somerset County, Pa., after nine miners were trapped
underground for 77 hours.
     A "sudden rainstorm" near Ogallah, Neb., on July 5 destroyed 55
mobile homes and five frame houses, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst,
director, Lutheran Disaster Response.  Lutheran "counselors were
deployed immediately on the disaster scene," he said.
     Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Omaha, is managing
Lutheran Disaster Response relief efforts around Ogallah.  A $5,000
grant was issued by Lutheran Disaster Response to assist with
emergency needs and to provide Lutheran funding for groups organizing
relief work in the community, Furst said.
     On July 28 "a large supercell" moved across east-central South
Dakota, Furst reported.  "Wind speeds reached 80 to 100 miles per
hour.  The path of the damage was 20 miles wide and 60 miles long."
     Most of the damage was confined to crops and trees, but several
homes and farm buildings were damaged or destroyed in the communities
of Oldham and Sinai, S.D., he said.
     Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, is
managing Lutheran Disaster Response recovery efforts there.  Lutheran
Disaster Response issued a $5,000 grant to assist with emergency
needs and to provide funding for the unmet needs of people, Furst
said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response and Allegheny Lutheran Social
Ministries Inc., Holidaysburg, Pa., are providing counseling services
for miners and their families in Somerset County, Pa.  Nine miners
were trapped 240 feet underground for 77 hours and rescued on July
28.  "A $4,800 Lutheran Disaster Response grant has been provided for
those affected," Furst said.
-- -- --
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:

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://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html