ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 2, 2004

Lutherans Continue Disaster Relief Across Country
04-132-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
continues to organize recovery work this summer in California, Illinois,
Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, after storms
struck parts of these areas.
     "As we move through the early days of the 2004 hurricane season,
severe and devastating storms continue," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst,
director, Lutheran Disaster Response.
     Relief work continues in California, after wildfires killed 22 people
and burned 989,000 acres across the state last fall.  Lutheran Disaster
Response is reaching out to elderly, poor and unemployed people and child
survivors, said Furst.  "A spiritual and emotional retreat was held in
June to support pastors doing intense front-line ministry."
     In Utica, Ill., tornadoes killed eight people and destroyed homes and
businesses there, reported Furst.  Nineteen tornadoes struck the town
April 20.  Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, River Forest,
and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Des Plaines, continue to assist
Lutheran Disaster Response in recovery work there.
     "After the clean-up crews have finished their dangerous and difficult
work, the Red Cross has done its crucial emergency response coordination
and the funerals are complete, many survivors face new trauma while still
wounded and vulnerable," said Dave Roth, coordinator for the Illinois
Lutheran Disaster Response team.
     "We want to equip local communities to help with the healing, and we
want to provide opportunities for the caring and capable persons in
Lutheran congregations to participate in that.  If the community wishes
it, the Illinois Lutheran Disaster Response team will be involved in Utica
for many months and perhaps years," said Roth.
     In Iowa Lutherans continue to coordinate relief efforts in response
to 17 tornadoes that damaged at least 1,400 houses in a 14-county area on
May 25.  Two people were killed by the tornadoes, reported Furst.
     Lutheran Disaster Response in Nebraska, two ELCA congregations and
the American Red Cross are responding to a microburst in Kimball, Neb., on
June 26.  The microburst damaged 14 mobile homes and left 47 people in
need of shelter and food.  No one was injured, reported Linda Janssen
Gjere, director for communication, ELCA Nebraska Synod, Omaha.
     "A microburst is a vertical down-force of wind that turns horizontal
when it hits the ground, leveling whatever is in its path.  The
[microburst in Kimball] covered an area about the size of two football
fields," Gjere said.
     Lutherans also continue recovery work in eastern Nebraska,
particularly in farming and residential communities, after damaging hail
storms and tornadoes struck the state May 22-23.  At least 158 homes were
destroyed and 150 others damaged, Furst said.
     Lutherans continue to repair and rebuild homes in Matagorda and
Calhoun counties of southern Texas, which endured three floods, a tornado
and damage from Hurricane Claudette last summer.
     In Skagit and Snohomish counties of northwest Washington, Lutherans
and other faith groups continue to organize recovery work after the Skagit
River flooded last fall, destroying many homes in the state.  Recovery
work will continue through August, Furst said.
     "On Memorial Day floods and mud slides washed out bridges and covered
roads in southern West Virginia," Furst said.  Twenty-four counties are
declared a federal disaster.  At least 135 homes were completely
destroyed, and 443 sustained major damage, he said.  "Some communities
have experienced four or five major disasters in the last two years.  Many
low-income rural families with few resources for recovery are affected."
_ _ _
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