May 29, 2008

CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) coordinators in Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota are assessing damage left behind from severe storms and tornadoes that struck these states Memorial Day weekend. According to the Rev. Kevin A. Massey, LDR director, the first half of 2008 has "been littered by news of one severe storm after another." LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service indicate that 930 tornadoes have touched down this year, and the number of tornadoes is nearly equal to the total number of tornadoes for all of 2007, said Massey. "The devastation has been widespread, with fatalities confirmed in 15 different states from Louisiana to Minnesota, from Colorado to North Carolina," he said.

Massey said the LDR coordinator in Iowa reported that a tornado destroyed 300 homes in the area of Parkersburg, Iowa. "The affected homes included those of dozens of members of Bethel Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation," there, he said.

LDR affiliate Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), Waverly, has mobilized a disaster response program designed to address the unmet needs of residents impacted by storms. Typical assistance may include purchasing beds or other household items, paying insurance deductibles and utility bills, and more. LSI will coordinate a network of case advocates "who will walk with families and individuals through the process of recovery," providing such assistance as "filling out paperwork or coordinating direct financial assistance," according to a May 28 LSI news release.

Storm recovery is taking place in Hugo, Minn., said Massey. In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, LDR will coordinate volunteers and, along with other organizations, help provide case management services to survivors of the storms and tornadoes.

Recovery efforts are also under way in Windsor, Colo., where more than 100 homes and business were affected by storms and tornadoes, reported Massey.

ELCA Domestic Disaster Response has issued an ongoing appeal for funds specifically to help meet the needs of people affected by tornadoes this year.

"Issuing a designated appeal is something we do for large-scale disasters. The continuing onset of record-breaking tornadoes makes the appeal an important step" in meeting the needs of people, said Massey.

ELCA News Service