wfn.org | Lutherans Participate in Relief Efforts in Southern Florida

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 6, 2000

LUTHERANS PARTICIPATE IN RELIEF EFFORTS IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA
00-264-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is participating in relief efforts in
southern Florida, after severe storms struck there Oct. 3-4.
     Storms produced more than 15 inches of rain in less than 15
hours, a record rainfall for counties in southern Florida, said the
Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
     Boward, Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties were declared
federal disaster areas, Furst said.  About 93,000 houses were
surrounded by water, more than 1,000 houses and apartments were
destroyed, and another 1,100 homes were heavily damaged, he said.
     "Hundreds of farm workers in southern Florida were stranded by
flood waters.  Some were trapped in their houses for two weeks.
Washed-out crops have financially stranded the rest of the workers,"
Furst said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response and other local interfaith
organizations will employ a case manager to assess the individual
needs of disaster survivors and to coordinate resources.  Lutheran
Disaster Response provided an initial $10,000 for case management
efforts.
     Lutheran Social Services of Florida will manage Lutheran
Disaster Response relief efforts, with staff from the ELCA Florida-
Bahamas Synod and LCMS Florida-Georgia District.  Lutheran
Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization based in Minneapolis,
and Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization
based in Appleton, Wis., are also participating in recovery efforts.
     "Although this 'no name' disaster in Florida barely made
national news, recovery will take a long time," Furst added.
---
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, IL  60694-1764
                       800-638-3522

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