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To: [log in to unmask] Dear Christian Friends, I'm writing this report from southeast Ohio, where two weeks ago tornado- force winds and flash floods caused widespread damage and destruction. Because of the scope of the storms (from Iowa through New England), this one never made the headlines. The estimated damage from this summer storm, affecting 23 Ohio counties, is second only to last year's flood -- which was the state's worst natural disaster. Primarily affecting small rural communities and farms (especially in Guernsey, Noble, and Washington counties), even now streams are swollen, dams are dangerously high, and new rainstorms are predicted tomorrow. ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response are responding to this southeast Ohio disaster through Lutheran Family Services of Central Ohio, the Rev. Nelson Meyer president. This morning Johanna Olson (Assistant for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response) and I met in Cambridge, Ohio, with ten pastors, Southern Ohio Synod staff member Margaret Messick, and Barbara Peterson (disaster coordinator for LSS-Central Ohio). The pastors described how their rural communities and members have been affected, including many poor and elderly persons. They spoke of the fury of the storm winds, and ferocity of the flash floods that swept through narrow passes, and the grief and anger being experienced due to the loss of houses and lives. In the early afternoon we took a first-hand look at the rural damage, as we were driven through numerous small towns (including Senecaville, Derwent, Marietta, Ava, Coal Ridge, Belle Valley, and Caldwell). The stench of decaying vegetation filled our nostrils. We saw fields with destroyed crops, piles of debris in front of houses, flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Cleanup efforts continue, and volunteers are needed. At a later meeting of a Lutheran strategy team, steps were taken to coordinate equitable distribution of financial grants, and to identify a person to serve as a local coordinator to oversee the relief efforts. Partners in this strategy team will include representatives of AAL, LB, LSS of Central Ohio, SE Ohio Synod, and the Ohio District (LCMS). Damage assessment continues even now, and some communities are still inaccessible. When a local coordinator is identified and an office established, I will provide a name and telephone number for you to contact so you can help in cleanup and recovery. Meanwhile, your prayers for the survivors of this latest disaster, this hidden disaster, will be supportive and uplifting. Your contributions to help in this new disaster relief effort may be sent to: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response PO Box 71764 Chicago, IL 60694-1764 Thank you for your continuing assistance in ministering to those affected by the unrelenting disasters of this spring and early summer. In Christ, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Wed, Jul 15, 1998, at 10:01 pm) Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society), Lutheran Disaster Response (A cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS) 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493 Visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster