May 13, 2008

CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is evaluating damage left behind by another round of severe storms and tornadoes May 10-11 that swept through Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Oklahoma. LDR reported that 22 people died and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed in the most recent storms.

"The late winter and spring have been a busy period for emergency managers and disaster response groups, and the headlines of destruction and injuries from strong storms have become far too frequent. Heavy rains have resulted in widespread flooding across the country, and tornadoes have ravaged towns and displaced (people from their) households in several areas," said the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, acting director of LDR – a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

LDR is in communication with local clergy and community leaders, said Massey. "There are few ELCA congregations in the area most recently affected," he said. Local LDR coordinators throughout the South will continue to connect with other LDR partners as they assess the long-term needs of the affected communities, Massey reported.

"It is with hope that we pray for all of God's people affected by disasters, both our neighbors here in this country and those around the world," said Massey.

ELCA News Service