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Dear Christian Friends,
Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is
responding to severe flooding in northern Minnesota that is affecting the
communities of Roseau, Warroad, and surrounding areas. Five to twelve
inches of rainfall overnight on June 9th and on June 10th has caused record
flooding on the Roseau river, which crested at a record 23.2 feet, more
than 7 feet above flood stage. The situation became worse Tuesday when the
river broke through a sandbag dike that was reinforcing a levee designed to
hold back the river at 22 feet. Initial reports indicate that 95 percent
of the city of Roseau (and 90 percent of Warroad) have some water damage.
Assessments continue even as I write this report.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (Mark Peterson, President) is managing
the LDR response. Melanie Josephson is serving as LDR-MN disaster
coordinator. (Melanie has coordinated LDR responses in Minnesota since the
1997 floods.) An initial $10,000 grant has been provided by LDR to assist
with emergency needs and for cleanup efforts. LDR is working with Bishop
Rolf Wang (Northwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA) and President David Bode
(Minnesota North District, LCMS) to assess needs, and to rally local
support and assistance.
"It looks like Grand Forks in '97," Melanie told me. "Many of the roads
are washed out or still under water, and hundreds have water in basements
and into the main floor." LDR is working with local staff of the American
Red Cross and Salvation Army, the Baptists, and the United Methodists.
Only local cleanup volunteers are needed at this point. Travel is
difficult and dangerous. LDR-MN is developing a plan to coordinate local
individuals or groups through area congregations.
You can support the survivors of this latest disaster with your prayers.
Please lift up petitions for the safety and well being of those affected,
as well as for those who are responding. As the church responds with
prayers and donations, the survivors are aware that in the midst of their
losses, God loves them and God's people will offer help and hope now and
for the long haul.
Send your contributions to:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Northern Minnesota Floods"
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster
LC-MS World Relief -"Northern Minnesota Floods"
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Fri, Jun 14, 2002, at 3:24 pm). Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) and
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Please visit our new website: www.ldr.org
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