August 12, 2009

Chainsaw crews left CRWRC's Disaster Response offices in Byron Center, Michigan, this morning ready to do clean-up and tree removal after storms devastated the West Michigan lakeshore Sunday night and closed roads to the town of Fruitport on Monday. Inquiries by Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, http://www.crwrc.org/, staff to the denomination's churches in Fruitport and the surrounding area revealed that congregation members were not seriously affected by the storm.

Sunday evening's weather event downed trees, cut off electricity, and damaged homes and cars. One young father was killed in the destruction. Residents from the Grand Haven lakeshore to Kent City and Sparta were continuing to get their lives back in order this morning. In all, more than 140,000 are reported to have been without power as a result of winds of as high as 75 mph.

CRWRC-DRS sent scouts into the area early on Tuesday to assess damage. Township officials who requested assistance yesterday received help first thing this morning, joining nearly the half-dozen tree clearing companies that worked to get roads reopened early this week. CRWRC-DRS work crews will continue to clean-up debris throughout the week and re-assess the need for further work teams at that time.

Members of the media wishing to interview DRS Crew Leader Glen Geurink on site in Fruitport, call cell 616-403-1248. CRWRC media contact Beth DeGraff is available at cell 616-648-7821.

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee