May 4, 2010

CHICAGO – Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) provided a $10,000 emergency grant to assist local agencies in organizing initial responses to severe flooding in West and Central Tennessee, particularly in the Nashville area.

The Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director for LDR and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, ELCA Church in Society, said the grant was sent to Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi (LESM). LESM is working with the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, to help coordinate flood response in West and Central Tennessee, said Sandra Braasch. Braasch, an ELCA diaconal minister, is LESM director of disaster preparedness and response, Jackson.

Between 10 and 15 inches of rain fell in parts of Tennessee, May 1-2, causing significant flooding in some areas. In Nashville, two interstate highways, the Opryland Convention Center and the Grand Ole Opry House, and parts of the downtown area were flooded as the Cumberland River escaped its banks. The Tennessee Emergency Operations Center reported at least 19 people died.

The Bellevue area in West Nashville was particularly hard hit as people evacuated from their homes in boats, according to an e-mail message from the ELCA Southeastern Synod. The synod also reported that area Lutheran churches were secure but most received some minor water damage. Many church members had to be evacuated. The staff of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in the Bellevue area was not able to get to the church building, the synod reported.

Kathy Thoreson, president and chief executive officer, Lutheran Services in Tennessee Inc., Nashville, told the ELCA News Service that LDR staff is checking with congregations of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to determine what assistance may be needed. She also has received phone calls from volunteers who want to help in the cleanup.

"We want to make sure we're hooking up with (volunteer) systems already in place," Thoreson said. Representatives of several organizations are meeting by conference call May 5 to discuss coordinating volunteers, she said.

Rau-Wood Retreat and Conference Center, Nashville, "is devastated," said Thoreson, who visited the Lutheran camp facility May 4. Trees were uprooted, a building and a picnic place were wiped out by flood waters, a dining hall and the furniture in it were seriously damaged, and the road to the camp is impassable, she said. Volunteers will be needed to help in the extensive cleanup of the camp, Thoreson said.

Information about financial gifts in response to the floods is at http://www.elca.org/disaster/, on the ELCA Web site.

Information about the ELCA Southeastern Synod is at http://www.ELCA-ses.org/, on the Web.

Information about Lutheran Disaster Response is at http://www.ldr.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service