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[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 25, 1998

LUTHERANS RESPOND TO FLORIDA TORNADOES
98-036-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is
responding to a series of powerful tornadoes in northern and central
Florida that left at least 39 people dead, hundreds injured and thousands
homeless.  "Some of the tornadoes may have had wind speeds as high as 210
miles per hour," reported the Rev. Leon A. Phillips, director for the
ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response.  The
tornadoes are the deadliest recorded in Florida since the 1960s.
     "At present there is limited access to severely hit areas," said
Phillips.  Tornadoes cut a 50-mile swath across central Florida, from Tampa
Bay on the Gulf of Mexico to Daytona Beach on the Atlantic coast, Feb. 23.
     To provide an immediate emergency response to the disaster, "an
initial cash grant was given to help people who have been affected by the
tornadoes," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, associate director for Lutheran
Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod.  Food distribution centers have been set up in the Kissimmee area,
Furst reported.
     "Three gatherings will be held to prepare Lutheran pastors and other
clergy on the dynamics of disasters and how to provide ministry to people
affected by a disaster," said Furst.   The gatherings will be held in
Longwood, St. Cloud and Winter Garden, Fla.
     "There were no reports of damage to any Lutheran churches, although
individual members may well have been affected by the series of storms,"
said Phillips.
     Lutheran Disaster Response and the ELCA's Florida-Bahamas Synod "will
be working closely together to assess immediate needs," said Phillips.

DOMESTIC DISASTERS
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors of
major disasters including 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:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html

  George Conklin