wfn.org | CWS Speeds Cleanup Kits to Louisiana, Also Assists Flood Recovery in

[Carol Fouke <carolf@ncccusa.org>]

Texas

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2252; news@ncccusa.org; www.ncccusa.org
NCC6/13/2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to help with flood 
recovery in Louisiana and Texas, please include: Church World Service, 
Attn. Texas-Louisiana Flooding, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.  Phone 
pledges/credit card donations: 1-800-297-1516.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Church World Service is overnighting 100 CWS "Gift of the 
Heart" Cleanup Kits to the Terrebonne (Louisiana) Readiness and Assistance 
Coalition (TRAC) to help Louisiana householders recover from severe 
flooding, and is working with other interfaith groups and church leaders 
across Texas and Louisiana on flood recovery.  The kits, assembled in 
churches across the United States, include basic cleaning supplies.

The death toll from the flooding in Texas and Louisiana caused by Tropical 
Storm Allison has now reached 20, and initial damage estimates remain in 
the range of $1 billion in the Houston area alone, reports CWS's Emergency 
Response Office.  In Louisiana, the total damage was at least $15 million. 
 Initial estimates indicate that at least 1,200 and perhaps as many as 
3,500 homes in Louisiana were damaged by water and mud.

Velma Watson (504-851-2952; vwatson@cajun.net) of TRAC, a long-time 
interfaith and CWS partner, reported that initial assessments were 
continuing but confirmed damage was major.  "We've got a lot of it," she 
said.  "We can't even get into some areas yet."  Rainfall in Louisiana 
averaged between 20-40 inches.

One feature of this disaster, Watson said, is that many of those whose 
homes have been damaged are in areas that had not before been affected by 
flooding.  Many of those whose homes were damaged in the Lafourche area, 
for example, did not have flood insurance because their homes were on a 
"100-year" flood plain, Watson said.

"A lot of them are real depressed," she added.  TRAC is convening an unmet 
needs Committee meeting on Thursday, June 14, that will include 
representatives of the faith community.  CWS is seeking to raise $45,000 to 
assist with initial interfaith development costs and assistance.

-end-