Severe Spring weather hits the Midwest
March 14, 2006
My Sisters and Brothers,
A severe weather system passed through the middle of the country on
Sunday, March 12 and into Monday morning, March 13. The storm included
several confirmed tornados and softball-sized hail in some areas. Church
World Service is reporting that at least 10 people were killed and
dozens more injured as a result of the storm.
There are several areas that received the brunt of the storm. They
include rural Delaware County in northeastern Oklahoma, most of central
Missouri, and central Illinois including the city of Springfield. There
are also reports of several dozen damaged or destroyed homes in
northwestern Arkansas, near the city of Bentonville.
We have received initial reports members of our Lutheran Disaster
Response network as to the extent of the damage, especially regarding
Lutheran congregations. There are reports that Faith Lutheran, an ELCA
congregation in Springfield, IL suffered significant damage. However,
the other four ELCA churches in the area escaped with little or no
physical damages.
In Oaks, Oklahoma, Pastor Jack Russell of Ebenezer Lutheran Church
reports that power has been restored in the community of Oaks, and
generators were supplied to the Oaks Indian Mission in time to prevent
food spoilage and other problems. There is extensive damage to homes and
other buildings in the area.
Information regarding the need for volunteers or the donation of
specific materials will become available as we learn more about the
extent of the damage. At this time, we ask that you keep the affected
communities in your thoughts and prayers. Regardless of the physical
damage experienced, there are also emotional wounds that come from
living through a storm like this one.
My prayer this day:
May God give us light to guide us this day,
Courage to support us in these days of chaos and confusion,
And love to unite us to each other in support and comfort.
Amen.
Faithfully,
Heather L. Feltman
Executive Director, Lutheran Disaster Response
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
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