April 13, 2006

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Another series of violent storms and tornados tore through Tennessee on
Friday, April 7, less than a week after tornados left a wake of
destruction in the western portion of the state. Officials report that
there were as many as 23 tornado touchdowns in this most recent system,
and there have been 12 confirmed deaths as a result.

According to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center,
the number of tornados in the United States has jumped dramatically in
the first part of 2006. Through the first three months of the year,
there were an estimated 286 tornado touchdowns as compared to an average
of about 70 in the same time period over the last several years.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has requested that as many as fourteen
additional counties be added to a federal disaster declaration that was
initially made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on April 6 for Dyer and Gibson
Counties.

Relief services, mostly from the American Red Cross and Salvation Army,
are already in place in parts of Tennessee, in response to the storms
from the previous weekend. Shelters have been set up for those people
who have been displaced from their homes, and food and water is being
distributed, both to local residents and incoming volunteers.

Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to assess the needs in these
communities as we partner with others to serve their long-term recovery
needs.

In regards to the storms from April 2-3, we have learned that at least
seven families from the congregation of St. John's Lutheran (LCMS) in
Lafe, Arkansas, had their homes damaged or completely destroyed. Our
thoughts and prayers are with these families, and with all members of
our Lutheran congregations who are affected by disaster, in their time
of need. No federal disaster declaration has been made in Arkansas to
this point.

In Illinois, Morgan and Greene Counties have been added to the federal
disaster declaration, originally issued for Sangamon County on March 28.
This means that individuals and business owners in these counties are
eligible for public and individual assistance in rebuilding from the
severe weather of the last month.

When several disasters strike an area in a short span of time, the
effect can be truly overwhelming. As grieving families mourn loved ones
lost in a disaster, it is agonizing to have to seek shelter from yet
another storm. We will continue to be deeply prayerful with all those
suffering following these storms and continue to journey with them
through these difficult times.

In Christ's Service,

Rev. Kevin Massey, Assistant Director
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response