Midwest Tornadoes

Dear friends in Christ,

Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) is responding to a severe and deadly band of F3 and possibly F4 tornadoes that tore through Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee on Sunday, May 4. At least 38 people are known dead and hundreds injured. Hundreds of homes were damaged and destroyed.  The hardest-hit states are Kansas, Missouri, and Tennessee.

From the beginning a network of LDR coordinators began assessing the damage and determining appropriate responses of the church.  Bob Tribble (LDR coordinator for the Southeast Synod, ELCA) and John Sims (LDR coordinator, Lutheran Services in Tennessee) are on the scene in Tennessee.  At least 10 people were killed in Madison County.  Larry Gustafson (LDR coordinator, Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri) is assessing needs in west and southern Missouri.  Worst damage is near the Kansas state line and south in the Pierce City area.  Christine Iverson (LDR coordinator in Kansas) and Rocky Mease (Kansas District Chaplain) are assessing damage and holding meetings with clergy in affected areas. Major damage has occurred in Lawrence, Crawford, and Cherokee counties.

As I write this initial report, the immediate needs and damages are being assessed and interfaith efforts are beginning.  Many devastated areas are inaccessible or closed to relief efforts because of dangerous debris that must be removed.  LDR is working closely with the affected ELCA Synods (Central States and Southeastern Synods) and LCMS Districts (Kansas, Missouri, and Mid-South Districts), as they rally members and congregations to provide support for the response efforts.  I will provide you additional information as soon as it is available.  It is certain that major cleanup will be needed, as well as spiritual and emotional care for the children and adults whose lives have been affected by this destructive weather.  Emergency disaster grants will be provided as specific needs are assessed.

You can help by your prayers of support for those who have been affected and for those who are reaching out to help.  The prayers of God's people are more powerful than these deadly tornadoes.

You can help by volunteering for clean up and repairs, once those needs are known and the systems for response are in place.

You can help by your contributions, which enable the church to respond at once and makes it possible to offer help and hope for the long haul.

To contribute:

ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Midwest Tornadoes"
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764

Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster

LC-MS World Relief and Human Care - "Midwest Tornadoes"
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810

Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438

Yours in Christ,

Gil Furst

Gilbert B. Furst (written on May 6, 2003 at 10:09 a.m.). Director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society) and Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS) 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493 Please visit our new website