August 24, 2007
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Communities across the Midwest are beginning the long process of cleaning up after severe storms and widespread flooding left portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio longing for drier weather. While flood waters in many areas have already crested, others are forecasted to receive more rain today and tomorrow.
Starting last weekend, a series of rain bands including remnants of Tropical Storm Erin have pummeled the upper Midwest with rain and strong winds. Rivers and streams have risen above their banks, and in many areas, the flood levels are higher now than they have been in decades. For the residents in affected communities, the recovery process will be a long one, and we hold them up in our prayers.
Rev. Kevin Massey, assistant director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, traveled through parts of southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin earlier this week, meeting with clergy and synod staff members. He was accompanied by Cindy Johnson, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and Rev. Gary Grindeland, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, who serve as the Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators for their respective areas.
In Minnesota, Rev. Massey met with clergy and members of the ELCA Southeastern Minnesota Synod staff to discuss current needs and the formation of a response. The most heavily affected communities are Rushford, Houston, and Winona. A similar meeting took place in Wisconsin with clergy and members of the ELCA LaCrosse Area Synod staff. The most affected communities in Wisconsin are Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove.
Portions of northern and central Ohio are experiencing similarly widespread flooding after the same storm system moved west. Early assessments continue today through Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, the Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate agency for the state, and LDR coordinator Mary Woodward is having conversations with emergency management officials and representatives from various voluntary agencies. The worst flooding seems to be in the areas of Findlay, Mansfield, and Bucyrus as well as various smaller communities in nine counties.
Interest from volunteer groups, especially many of those who have so generously given of their time along the Gulf Coast, have already started to pour in. Volunteers will be vitally needed in many of these affected communities at some point in the near future, especially as the flood waters recede and residents are faced with the damage left behind. However, at this time, volunteers are not being coordinated except for in limited numbers as requested by local authorities. In fact, many of the affected areas continue to have limited access, and anyone who shows up without proper identification will likely be turned away. Anyone interested in volunteering should keep close watch on the Lutheran Disaster Response Web site for updated information (www.ldr.org/volunteer)
We lift up in prayer the many communities who will soon be faced with picking up the pieces from this disaster, and we continue to seek ways to accompany them in their recovery. Gifts are requested on behalf of those affected in order that we as a church might bring help and hope to them in their time of greatest need, and anyone interested in giving can find more information at www.elca.org/disaster.
In service,
Heather L. Feltman
Executive Director, Lutheran Disaster Response
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
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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