wfn.org | Lutherans Continue Recovery Efforts from Spring Storms

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 5, 2003

LUTHERANS CONTINUE RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM SPRING STORMS
03-114-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod (LCMS), continues to organize relief efforts after 412
tornadoes and more than 2,000 storms struck the Midwest this spring.
     The tornadoes and storms "brought havoc and devastation to people
in the mid- and lower United States," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst,
director, Lutheran Disaster Response.  Floods produced by the storms are
affecting Alabama, Arkansas and Illinois, he said.
     "At least 50 counties in Missouri have been declared federal
disaster sites," said Larry Gustafson, information resource manager,
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri (LFCS).  LFCS is
managing recovery efforts on behalf of Lutheran Disaster Response, and
Gustafson is serving as the coordinator for disaster response.
     In Kansas City nearly 800 homes were damaged or destroyed.  In
southwest Missouri the count of damaged homes may reach 3,000.	These
figures do not include businesses, farm buildings, schools, and churches
or numbers from the eastern side of the state, Gustafson reported.
     The Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency
Management Agency, American Red Cross and Salvation Army have been
active in disaster recovery in Missouri, Gustafson said.  Many other
state, community and faith-based organizations have been active in the
primary phase of recovery, he said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response has been communicating the need for
volunteers, bottled water, food, cleaning supplies and other items.  It
will also commit to the long-term relief phase, said Gustafson.
     "The long-term phase of recovery can take as long as one to three
years," he said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response is a major provider of the resources
needed during the phase of recovery, such as recruiting volunteers for
repair and construction projects, cleaning crews and final debris
cleanup, monetary funds to purchase construction materials, medical and
other services, and in-kind donations of furniture, beds, appliances and
more, said Gustafson.
     The Rev. Christine E. Iverson, disaster consultant, Lutheran
Family Services of Nebraska, said the "southeast and southwest corners
of Kansas have been hit hard by tornadoes."  Lutheran Family Services of
Nebraska is managing Lutheran Disaster Response's recovery efforts in
Kansas.
     Major areas of concern are in Kansas City, southeast and southwest
Kansas around Kismet and Liberal, said Iverson.  So far the Red Cross
has indicated more than 1,250 houses have been affected by storms, she
said.
     The list of homes affected "have shown to be low compared to
actual damage, especially in rural areas," according to Iverson.  In
Crawford County, for example, 38 houses were listed as destroyed or
having incurred "major" damage.  She said some homes in that area were
affected but identified as incurring "minor" damage.
     "The small village of Ringo had 38 of its 40 homes destroyed.  The
town of Franklin was about 80 percent destroyed with well over 100
houses gone, and the small town of Mulberry was similarly affected.
These are the areas where most of the storm-related deaths occurred in
Kansas," Iverson said.
     "Counties in southwest Kansas hit by a May 15 tornado have also
been added to the federal disaster declaration," she said.
     "Concern has surfaced for the many undocumented families brought
into the area by the meat packing industry.  It is estimated that 200 to
300 families have been affected.  Many of them live in mobile homes and
received the most damage and loss.  Language and cultural barriers and
fear of Immigration and Naturalization Service involvement are impairing
efforts to help those affected.  It is important for people to know that
they can register and receive disaster help without the INS being
notified," she said.
     "Long-term recovery for the area will need Lutheran and interfaith
efforts to reach all members of the communities affected by disaster.
No one deserves a disaster, and everyone needs help to recover," Iverson
said.
     She said the number of counties and the areas involved   and
storms that continue to hit the same areas   have complicated efforts
for disaster response.	But  the church is involved for the long haul.
"Into the midst of death and disaster the church brings the message of
hope as we work together towards recovery."
-- -- --
DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid 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
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