Midwest Tornadoes Update: Missouri

Dear friends in Christ,

Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) continues to work alongside other denominational and community disaster responders as relief and recovery efforts come together across the Midwest and Southeast. In late April and early May and unprecedented total of 412 tornadoes and over 2,000 storms brought havoc and devastation to people in the mid and lower United States. Additionally, resulting floods are affecting Alabama, Arkansas, and Illinois.

I am receiving field reports from our local coordinators, and want to share parts of those with you over the next several days.

Larry Gustafson (LDR coordinator, Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri) writes this report:

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Reports are now saying that nearly 400 tornadoes touched down in the Midwest over a ten-day period of time. Missouri certainly experienced its share. Gladstone and Liberty, north of Kansas City, and Carl Junction, Pierce City, Stockton and Battlefield in the southwest region of Missouri were frequently mentioned by the news media. But let us not forget Jackson in the southeast, De Soto near St. Louis, Canton in the northeast and the dozens of smaller towns and rural communities in counties like Polk, Dallas, Lawrence and Jasper counties. At last count 50 counties in Missouri have been declared federal disaster sites.

In Kansas City (Missouri side) nearly 800 homes were damaged or destroyed and the count in southwest Missouri may reach 3000. These figures do not include businesses, farm buildings, schools, churches or any numbers from the eastern side of Missouri nor any damage from areas experiencing flooding.

Over the last week and a half, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have been active in all these areas. In addition, many other state and community organizations as well as faith-based organizations have been responding during this primary phase of recovery. Included in this effort is Lutheran Disaster Response of Missouri (LDR). LDR has been active in communicating the need for and finding sources of volunteers, bottled water, food, cleaning supplies and other items.

Lutheran Disaster Response also becomes involved during the long-term recovery phase. After the primary emergency responders like FEMA, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army leave a disaster site; "unmet-needs committees" are developed to continue the recovery efforts. The faith-based organizations such as LDR are the major providers of the resources needed during this phase of recovery (i.e. volunteers for repair and construction projects, cleaning crews, and final debris cleanup; monetary funds for construction materials, medical needs and other needed services; and in-kind donations of furniture, beds, appliances, etc.)

How can you help? Money is a great need. The long-term phase of recovery can take as long as one to three years and your dollars help provide the resources needed over this period. Donate to LCMS World Relief or ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (designated to Midwest Tornadoes - '03). Both provide funds to Lutheran Disaster Response for use in these recovery efforts. You can also volunteer your time to help with the cleanup; repair, reconstruction and other efforts to get the victims back to a condition before the storms occurred.

If you would like to volunteer now, you can call the following numbers:

* In the Kansas City area: 816-221-1525

* In the southwest region: 800-489-8183

* In the De Soto area: 816-221-1525

Other contact numbers will be identified as the long-term, unmet-needs committees are formed. Your local church offices will be notified of this information as it becomes available.

Finally, please keep all of the storm victims across the Midwest in your prayers. Prayer it's something we all can do everyday

Larry Gustafson
Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator for Missouri

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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

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 28, 2003 at 4:15 p.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