September 1, 2011

CHICAGO – Thanks to the generous response of members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA Disaster Response distributed emergency grants totaling $71,000 in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The hurricane impacted a number of U.S. states as it steamrolled from Puerto Rico to the border of Canada.

The Rev. Kevin A. Massey, director of ELCA Disaster response, said two grants in the amount of $25,000 each were sent to Lutheran Care of New York and Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey. An additional $21,000 grant was sent to Church World Service for Hurricane Irene's victims.

"With strong winds and heavy rain, Irene left a trail of devastation," said the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. "Communities have experienced historic flooding and millions are without power; trees, debris and floodwaters cover roads, making travel hazardous or even impossible. Rivers in these areas have not yet crested, so we won't know the full extent of the damage from Irene for days or even weeks."

"We are learning more and more every day," said Massey of Irene's impact. "We are now in the stage of determining how best we can serve the victims of this hurricane. We have been in communication with locals in the affected areas, both to confirm their capacity and ability to respond as needed and to discuss emerging needs or shortfalls of resources."

Flooding records for 26 rivers were broken: eight in New Jersey, 14 in New York and four in Vermont. An estimated 3.5 million households (affecting approximately 9 million people) were under mandatory evacuation orders. Irene will be the 10th U.S. disaster in 2011 costing more than $1 billion, breaking the annual record of such costly catastrophes, dating from 1980. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an estimated 40 people died as a result of the storm.

"Through ELCA Disaster Response, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America stands ready to respond in all areas affected," said Rift. "We work hand-in-hand with our congregations who are experts at outreach in their communities – and they are already taking action. In Delaware and Pennsylvania, ELCA members are providing meals and coordinating clean-up efforts."

One hundred percent of gifts to ELCA Disaster Response designated for "U.S. Hurricane Relief" will be used to help families whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by this disaster. Gifts may be contributed at http://www.ELCA.org/hurricane. Gifts may also be made by calling 800-638-3522, or by mail to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Please write "U.S. Hurricane Relief" on your check's memo line.

ELCA News Service