Lutheran Disaster Response Assessing Needs in Georgia
In addition to the responses in Alabama, Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing and responding in Georgia to the damage caused by the powerful storms which spawned more than 20 tornados. Bob Tribble, the Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator for Georgia, has been meeting with local faith groups and organizations, assessing needs. Bob Tribble also serves as the president of the Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and will be active in setting up the Long Term Recovery Committees for this response.
The Disaster News Network reported: "In Georgia, Bob Tribble said the hardest hit community is Americus in Sumter County, yet other areas were also damaged. "Sumter County's damage is widespread," said Tribble, "Baker County saw a damage path about 30 miles long."
"Across the affected counties in Georgia, the American Red Cross reports 250 homes destroyed or severely damaged. Another 450 had minor damages. Damage assessments are ongoing."
"Sumter, Muscogee, McDuffie, Clay, Crawford, Taylor, Stewart, Baker, and Mitchell counties have a state emergency declaration. Only Sumter has received a federal disaster declaration."
"The other counties are still being assessed and I'm hoping we'll get some more (federal) declarations," said Tribble, Assistance has been pouring in from around the country, added Tribble, and finding housing for incoming volunteers is another major goal."
Lutheran Disaster Response will implement response to this disaster to serve these communities in the areas of its core components of hardship grants, spiritual and emotional care, volunteer coordination, and long term recovery. Please pray for all the communities affected by these recent storms as we work to provide healing and hope in the midst of this tragedy.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Bringing Help and Hope...
Phone: 773-380-2748
Fax: 773-380-2493
Visit us on the Web at www.ldr.org
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