ELCA NEWS SERVICE
September 29, 2004
Lutherans Continue Damage Assessment After Hurricane Jeanne
04-184-MR
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod, continues to conduct damage assessment and coordinate relief
efforts in Florida, after Hurricane Jeanne clobbered the state Sept.
25-26. It also continues to organize recovery efforts in several other
U.S. states and territories devastated by hurricanes and storms in the
past six weeks.
"Government relief agencies and other organizations are responding to
the [overall] recovery effort at a scale never before seen in the nation's
history," said Heather L. Feltman, director, Lutheran Disaster Response
and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. Hurricane Jeanne is the fourth
hurricane in a six-week period.
The United States "has not seen the impact of four hurricanes in a
single hurricane season since 1886," Feltman said.
"This is the largest FEMA recovery response in the history of our
nation," said Feltman, "and huge for Lutheran disaster efforts as well.
We need monetary gifts to sustain and continue our response and ministry
efforts."
As of Sept. 28 "we've received $300,000 from members, congregations
and synods of the ELCA in response to the hurricanes and storms in the
past six weeks," said Kathryn Sime, director of the ELCA World Hunger and
Disaster Appeal. "These funds will be used for emergency and short-term
needs, as well as our long-term response" in areas affected by hurricanes
and storms, she said.
"Given the immediacy of these disasters, we're still assessing the
full scope of needs of communities affected by hurricanes and storms. We
know that these needs, now and in the future, will be extensive, given the
devastation. While these needs can be overwhelming I'm confident that, as
a church, our capacity to provide help and hope is even greater. I'm
grateful for the generosity [of] our members in the past few weeks," said
Sime.
Hurricane Jeanne "inflicted damage on many Florida neighborhoods and
congregations still reeling from earlier storms. Serious structural
damage and flooding compromised many buildings. People, including
caregivers, are weary and overwhelmed," Feltman said. Many people
continue to "stand and wait in long lines for basic-need essentials," she
said.
"There is a wide area of devastation from Pensacola to the southern
coastal area of Florida," Feltman said. Millions of people in that area
are living without power.
The Lutheran Disaster Response team in Florida has distributed food
and supplies, reported the Rev. Thomas Weitzel, director of communication,
ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod, Tampa, Fla.
About "700 people have volunteered" in recovery efforts, "working
3,500 hours," he said. "Help sites have been established in four areas in
Florida, and counseling sites for [clergy] and families have been
established in six areas," Weitzel said.
In the Bahamas, the main need for survivors of hurricanes is food,
Feltman said. "The infrastructure there is sporadic, and there is
re-flooding."
"The U.S. Virgin Islands reported minimal flooding and minimal
damage. Puerto Rico has reported moderate damage and flooding. Clean-up
kits are being distributed across the island," Feltman said.
Other states are preparing for impact from Jeanne, Feltman said.
Georgia was expecting eight to 10 inches of rain Sept. 27, she said.
"Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West
Virginia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio have all seen
devastating flooding due to hurricanes this season. Federal emergency
declarations continue to be made daily in these states," she said.
In Pennsylvania, 41 out of 67 counties in the state were declared
federal disaster sites Sept. 24, according to Robert W. Fisher, director
of communication, ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Norristown, Pa.
Recovery efforts continue there, after Hurricane Ivan produced heavy rain
and flash floods, he said. The Delaware River crested, causing extensive
flooding in communities up and down the river.
Fisher said Pennsylvania continued to be "hard hit" Sept. 28 with
tornadoes, heavy rain and flash floods produced by Hurricane Jeanne, now a
tropical depression.
"Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
continue to be involved in all levels of the recovery phase," Feltman
said. Damage assessment and coordination with other disaster relief
organizations continue after each hurricane, she said. Lutheran
"coordinators assist people with FEMA paperwork and other issues as
requested. Mental health counselors and spiritual care counselors help
those in affected communities. A process for assisting with unmet needs
and case management has been established through Lutheran Disaster
Response affiliate agencies."
Prayers and monetary donations are most important at this time,
Feltman said. "Funds go to where help is most needed after Hurricane
Charley, Hurricane Frances, Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Jeanne, and those
storms, named and unnamed, that might still do damage. All gifts, 100
percent, designated for specific responses are used for the immediate and
long-term response following [these] disasters," she said.
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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid 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, Illinois
60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.elca.org/disaster
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
