wfn.org | Lutherans Assess Damage after Earthquake in Pacific Northwest

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 5, 2001

LUTHERANS ASSESS DAMAGE AFTER EARTHQUAKE IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST
01-041-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Staff of Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod, is assessing damage left behind by an earthquake
which struck 10 miles northeast of Olympia, Wash., and 35 miles
southwest of Seattle, Feb. 28.
     "The earthquake was the strongest to hit the area since 1949.
Thousands were evacuated during the earthquake, which lasted less than a
minute," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster
Response.
     "One death has been attributed to a heart attack," Furst said.
About 250 individuals were hospitalized, but there are no life-
threatening injuries reported, he said.
     Furst said initial reports indicate that there was light damage to
homes, mostly cracks in foundations and chimneys.
     "Five houses were destroyed in the Renton area, where landslides
blocked a river that then backed into neighborhoods.  A number of older
residential hotels for the elderly have sustained damage, and some folks
are in shelters," he said.
     Staff of Lutheran Family Service of Oregon and Southwest
Washington and Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho are
managing assessments.
     "There is recognition that new needs will continue to arise as
assessments continue," Furst said.
     "The 'lucky' part of this earthquake is that it occurred some 30
miles below the surface.  Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, the
depth lessened the amount of damage on the surface," Furst said.
     "The 'prepared' part of the earthquake is reflected in the strict
building codes that have been enforced since 1978 and involvement with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Project Impact," Furst said.
"This has, in essence, prepared buildings for the eventuality of an
earthquake.  New buildings 'traveled well' when the earth was heaving in
waves."
     No damage or injuries have been reported at Pacific Lutheran
University (PLU), Tacoma, Wash., or at the ELCA Southwestern Washington
Synod office in Seattle.  PLU is one of 28 colleges and universities of
the ELCA.

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