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To: [log in to unmask] Dear friends in Christ, "We were lucky and we were prepared." This is how Norene Goplen, LDR Disaster Coordinator in Washington and Oregon, described the northwest's earthquake. Through Norene, Lutheran Disaster Response is monitoring a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the Pacific Northwest yesterday, Ash Wednesday. This is the strongest earthquake to hit the area since 1949. Thousands were evacuated during the quake, which lasted less than a minute. Lutheran Family Service of Oregon and Southwest Washington (Bruce Strade, President) and Lutheran Social Services of Washington and Idaho (Roberta Nestaas, President) are managing the assessment. Initial reports indicate there has been light damage to homes, mostly cracks in foundations and chimneys. A number of older residential hotels for the elderly have sustained damage, and some folks are in shelters. One death has been attributed to a heart attack. Nearly 250 persons were hospitalized, but there are no life-threatening injuries reported. Five houses were destroyed in the Renton area, where landslides blocked a river that then backed into neighborhoods. Contacts continue to be made with the Northwest District (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod), the Northwest Washington Synod and the Southwest Washington Synods (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The "lucky" part of this earthquake is that it occurred some 30 miles below the surface. Despite the magnitude of the quake, the depth lessened the amount of damage on the surface. The "prepared" part of this earthquake reflects the strict building codes that have been enforced since 1978 and involvement with FEMA's "Project Impact." This has, in essence, prepared buildings for the eventuality of an earthquake. New buildings "traveled well" when the earth was heaving in waves. This morning I spoke with the synod offices and social ministry organizations, as well as the American Red Cross. The conversations were all very similar. There is gratitude for the "lucky and prepared" nature of this earthquake. There is recognition that new needs will continue to arise as assessments continue. There is knowledge that the impact on the vulnerable will be great, and that spiritual and emotional needs will arise. And there is comfort from knowing that sisters and brothers in Christ across the country are offering prayers of support and concern. Your in Christ, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Thu, Mar 1, 2001,11:39 am). 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 website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster