September 3, 2010

CHICAGO – It appears that Hurricane Earl did little damage to Eastern North Carolina Sept. 3. The eye of the storm remained offshore, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) synod and congregational leaders in affected areas reported no significant damage.

Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving to the north-northeast this afternoon at 21 miles per hour.

The Rev. Phillip T. Tonnesen of the ELCA North Carolina Synod, Salisbury, said he spoke with the Rev. Keith H. Dey of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Southern Shores, N.C., a synodically authorized worshiping community, and the Rev. Garry A. Vogelpohl, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Elizabeth City, N.C.

"They reported lots of wind and rain, and some minor damage, but for the most part, no catastrophic damage and no widespread power outages," Tonnesen said. He said both pastors were contacting congregational members.

Dey, who was with his family in Wilson, N.C., told the ELCA News Service that Immanuel members reported some street flooding in the Southern Shores area and minor property damage, but no power outages.

Tonnesen said the synod would now be praying for members in the northeastern part of the United States, where Hurricane Earl was headed next.

The Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, said based on early reports, LDR did not expect to provide emergency grants to North Carolina. Instead, LDR staff will be watching for Earl's effects on the Northeast.

Massey added that Hurricane Earl offered Lutherans an opportunity to review their planning and readiness for the hurricane season, Massey said.

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

ELCA News Service