May 27, 2008

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Six people were killed Sunday as a powerful tornado raged across the country's mid-section. Two of those killed by the storm were members of Parkersburg, Iowa, Christian Reformed Church (CRC). Eight families in the congregation lost their homes and belongings. Local reports yesterday said that most of those who died in Parkersburg were in their basements when their homes collapsed, including an elderly couple in their 80s.

Bill Adams, Disaster Response Services Director for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.com), approved the departure of Rapid Response Team leaders Glenn Geurink and Larry Veldheer to Parkersburg at 8 A.M. this morning. Another team of seven CRWRC volunteers traveled into the area early today from their homes in Holland, Iowa. Although the town of Parkersburg is sealed-off, relief workers are able to access the damage area.

"Pastors of the Wellesburg and New Hope Fellowship CRCs report that a good part of Parkersburg was flattened," Adams says. "Fifty people in the community were injured, six were killed, 220 homes were destroyed and 14 businesses are gone." One of the homes damaged is that of retired Parkersburg CRC pastor, Rev. Frank Pott.

Fire rescue chaplain Gary Nibbelink of Holland, Iowa, who is also a CRC member, has been on the scene in Parkersburg since Sunday, Adams says. "Right now, we're offering people strong comfort and compassion; we're there to support them as they sift through their homes and belongings to salvage what's left of their lives. As the response develops, we'll continue to offer our support and services, working alongside surrounding CRCs, other denominations and our disaster response partners."

Adams is leaving for Parkersburg on Wednesday to conduct further assessments of the tornado damage and to determine what additional help will be needed.

This year's spring storms have brought a number of large, deadly tornadoes that have affected communities from the mountain states to the east coast, including a storm two weeks ago in Macon, GA, where CRWRC-DRS has activated response teams. An early season storm in February 2008 killed more than 60 people in five states. In an "average" year, about 70 people lose their lives in weather-related disasters. Approximately 100 people have died in U.S. storms so far this year.

Financial donations for Parkersburg, Iowa, tornado survivors and those affected by severe weather this season, can be marked "Spring Storms 2008." Donations can be given online at http://www.crwrc.org/ or by phoning 1-800-55-CRWRC or 616-241-1691, ext. 4170. Checks can be mailed to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids, MI 49560.

For more information about CRWRC, visit http://www.crwrc.org/ or call 1-800-55-CRWRC. CRWRC is a Christian, non-profit organization of the Christian Reformed Church in North America providing a ministry of development, relief, and justice education to people in need around the world. CRWRC is currently active in 30 countries and has an international reputation for "helping people help themselves."

Christian Reformed Church in North America