wfn.org | Lutherans Take Part in Relief Effort after Tropical Storm Allison

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 22, 2001

LUTHERANS TAKE PART IN RELIEF EFFORT AFTER TROPICAL STORM ALLISON
01-171-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is taking part in recovery efforts in
more than seven U.S. states, after floods resulting from Tropical
Storm Allison struck an area from Texas to Florida June 9-10.
     "This storm left behind a long trail of death and destruction
from Texas to Louisiana, and Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and
South Carolina," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for
Lutheran Disaster Response.
     "At least 43 deaths have been verified, 16 in Houston.  One
person who drowned there was a Lutheran.  Many are still missing,"
said Furst.  "Emergency workers rescued hundreds [of people]
from atop stranded automobiles, housetops, fences and trees," he
said.
     "Rain totaling 36 inches fell in Houston and 19 inches in Baton
Rouge, La.," Furst said.  "The loss of lives and the damage of tens
of thousands of homes are numbing.  The full impact is still
unmeasured.  Some communities are without phone and electrical
service," he said.
     Furst traveled to Houston on June 14.  He met with 50 members
of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church (a congregation of the ELCA),
pastors and staff of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and
the LCMS Texas District.
     "Congregation after congregation reported their first count of
families affected.  The first tally was nearly 560, and it is
expected that number could double," he said.
     "We drove through some of the flood-affected areas in northern
Houston.  We saw the familiar and heart-breaking sight of water-
soaked family possessions piled high at the curb.  Personal memories,
baby toys, family photos, favorite chairs, sports equipment, books
and letters were soggy heaps ready to be hauled away.  High
temperatures and humidity are already producing mold problems there,"
Furst said.
     "Immediate needs and damages continue to be assessed," he said.
Lutheran Social Services of the South is managing recovery efforts on
behalf of Lutheran Disaster Response, along with the ELCA Texas-
Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and the LCMS Texas District.  Lutheran
Disaster Response provided an initial grant of $25,000 to Lutheran
Social Services of the South.
     As of June 22, "$170,900 in emergency funds have been
distributed to 570 families in Texas," Furst said.  "More then 50
Lutheran congregations there are affected," he said.
     "Lutheran Disaster Response will continue a two-pronged
response in Texas and Louisiana, working with Lutheran congregations
to wider communities and participating in inter-faith efforts as they
are organized," said Furst.
- - -
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