July 21, 2006
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Lutheran Disaster Response coordinator Jim Eckrich, of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, and his staff continue to assess damages from a band of heavy storms that struck the St. Louis area on the evening of Wednesday, July 19. The storms brought 80 mph winds and heavy downpours into the region.
In the city, the storms tore off a 60-foot section of the roof at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, windows were blown out of a hotel restaurant, and wind damage at Busch Stadium sent thousands of fans seeking cover as they waited for the start of an evening baseball game. At least three buildings completely collapsed, and over 30 people have been reported injured.
In the wake of the storms, more than 500,000 households were without power, and some could remain without power for the next week. Because this disaster happened in the middle of an oppressive heat wave, with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees each day, emergency management officials have evacuated some people to cooling shelters around the area. Several Lutheran congregations have been serving as cooling shelters, providing much needed hospitality and care those in need. Jim Eckrich reports that local first-responders are handling the situation extraordinarily well. Eckrich serves as chair of the local long-term recovery committee and will coordinate LDR activities as the community moves from the emergency phase of the disaster into long-term recovery.
The Lutheran Church*Missouri Synod International Center remained closed today due to the power outage. The International Center did not sustain any damage except for a few downed trees on the property. Phone service is currently inoperative including the 1-888-THE-LCMS Information Center line. The office will reopen once power is restored. The offices of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services are also currently closed.
Please remember all persons affected by these difficult storms in your prayers. Please remember the staff of The Lutheran Church*Missouri Synod International Center and the staff of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri in your prayers as they continue their important ministries under such difficult circumstances.
In service,
Rev. Kevin A. Massey
Assistant Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
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