wfn.org | CRWRC Response Team Reaches Parkersburg, Iowa, CRC Families and Community

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 27, 2008

Bill Adams, CRWRC DRS Director 616-560-2782

Beth DeGraff, CRWRC Media Contact U.S. 616-648-7821 or 1-800-55-CRWRC

CRWRC Response Team Reaches Parkersburg, Iowa, CRC Families and Community

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - Six people were killed Sunday as a powerful 
tornado raged across the country's mid-section. Two of those killed 
by the storm were members of Parkersburg, Iowa, Christian Reformed 
Church (CRC). Eight families in the congregation lost their homes and 
belongings. Local reports yesterday said that most of those who died 
in Parkersburg were in their basements when their homes collapsed, 
including an elderly couple in their 80s.

Bill Adams, Disaster Response Services Director for the Christian 
Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.com), approved the 
departure of Rapid Response Team leaders Glenn Geurink and Larry 
Veldheer to Parkersburg at 8 A.M. this morning. Another team of seven 
CRWRC volunteers traveled into the area early today from their homes 
in Holland, Iowa. Although the town of Parkersburg is sealed-off, 
relief workers are able to access the damage area.

"Pastors of the Wellesburg and New Hope Fellowship CRCs report that a 
good part of Parkersburg was flattened," Adams says. "Fifty people in 
the community were injured, six were killed, 220 homes were destroyed 
and 14 businesses are gone." One of the homes damaged is that of 
retired Parkersburg CRC pastor, Rev. Frank Pott.

Fire rescue chaplain Gary Nibbelink of Holland, Iowa, who is also a 
CRC member, has been on the scene in Parkersburg since Sunday, Adams 
says. "Right now, we're offering people strong comfort and 
compassion; we're there to support them as they sift through their 
homes and belongings to salvage what's left of their lives. As the 
response develops, we'll continue to offer our support and services, 
working alongside surrounding CRCs, other denominations and our 
disaster response partners."

Adams is leaving for Parkersburg on Wednesday to conduct further 
assessments of the tornado damage and to determine what additional 
help will be needed.

This year's spring storms have brought a number of large, deadly 
tornadoes that have affected communities from the mountain states to 
the east coast, including a storm two weeks ago in Macon, GA, where 
CRWRC-DRS has activated response teams. An early season storm in 
February 2008 killed more than 60 people in five states.  In an 
"average" year, about 70 people lose their lives in weather-related 
disasters. Approximately 100 people have died in U.S. storms so far this year.

Financial donations for Parkersburg, Iowa, tornado survivors and 
those affected by severe weather this season, can be marked "Spring 
Storms 2008." Donations can be given online at www.crwrc.org or by 
phoning 1-800-55-CRWRC or 616-241-1691, ext. 4170. Checks can be 
mailed to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids, MI  49560.

Members of the Press can call Bill Adams, CRWRC-DRS Manager, for 
interview at 616-560-2782, or call Beth DeGraff, Media Contact US at 
616-648-7821 for more information.

For more information about CRWRC, visit  www.crwrc.org  or call 
1-800-55-CRWRC. CRWRC is a Christian, non-profit organization of the 
Christian Reformed Church in North America providing a ministry of 
development, relief, and justice education to people in need around 
the world.  CRWRC is currently active in 30 countries and has an 
international reputation for "helping people help 
themselves."

> -30-

> Beth DeGraff
> US Media and Justice Contact
> 2850 Kalamazoo SE
> Grand Rapids, MI  49560
> degraffb@crcna.org
> ph: 616-241-1691 x4191
> fax: 616-724-0806
>