Shawna with members of ROAD in Muskogee, OK | Photo credit Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma

In the first week of May 2022, severe storms and flash flooding swept through Eastern Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple counties. In Muskogee alone, more than seven inches of rain fell in a single day, overwhelming homes, properties, and communities. Thousands of households were impacted, many of them uninsured and uncertain of how they would recover.

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) partnered with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma through a grant supporting unmet needs from the storms. Together, this collaboration became a source of hope for families facing overwhelming loss.

Today, we celebrate a milestone: every household served through this project has now completed their recovery.

A Community Effort Rooted in Faith

The recovery effort was made possible through a powerful partnership. LDR funding provided critical resources for building materials. Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma offered compassionate case management, walking alongside survivors every step of the way. Volunteers from Recovering Oklahomans After Disaster (ROAD) contributed countless hours of labor, helping rebuild roofs, restore interiors, and return homes to safe and livable conditions.

Over the course of this project, from March 2024 through May 2026, this collective effort transformed lives, one home at a time. Many of the families served had no insurance and limited means, making this assistance not just helpful, but essential.

Shawna’s Story: An Answered Prayer

Among those impacted was Shawna, a Muskogee-area resident whose home and property were significantly damaged by the flooding. The storm impacted nearly every aspect of her life: her barns, flight pens, storage buildings, vehicles, animals, and home were all affected.

With extensive damage and limited financial resources, Shawna faced the very real possibility of losing her home. At one point, the city had considered condemning it.

Through the support of LDR and the coordinated efforts of Catholic Charities and ROAD volunteers, Shawna’s roof was repaired and multiple interior spaces were restored. What once felt like an impossible situation became a story of renewal.

Reflecting on her experience, Shawna shared:

“Our two barns, flight pens, storage buildings, vehicles, animals, and other property were flooded and damaged. We appreciate from the bottom of our hearts having our roof repaired, because this is the foundation of our home. The city was going to condemn it. Your assistance was an answered prayer, and we are so grateful for this help.”

Gratitude for a Shared Calling

This project has now officially concluded. While the storms themselves are now years behind us, their impact, and the long road to recovery, required persistence, compassion, and unwavering partnership.

Thanks to Lutheran Disaster Response, Catholic Charities, and dedicated local partners, families who once faced uncertainty now stand in restored homes with renewed hope.

“You became the hope so many survivors prayed for, and we are humbled to have witnessed Christ’s love through each of you,” said Catholic Charities in gratitude for this partnership.

This work is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about rebuilding structures. It’s about restoring dignity, stability, and hope.

Through faith and partnership, lives were changed, homes were restored, and prayers were answered.

Supporting Communities Through Lutheran Disaster Response

In the face of these compounding emergencies, Lutheran Disaster Response continues to walk alongside communities as they respond to immediate needs and rebuild with dignity and hope. Through trusted international partners, LDR supports emergency relief, recovery, and long-term resilience efforts, addressing food security, shelter, livelihoods, psychosocial support, and disaster preparedness.

Supporting Lutheran Disaster Response enables timely, locally led responses that prioritize the most vulnerable and strengthen communities against future crises. As climate impacts intensify and conflicts persist, sustained solidarity and partnership are essential. Together, we can help ensure affected communities are not only supported in times of crisis, but also empowered to recover, rebuild, and thrive. Learn more about how to support the work of LDR here.

Situation:

In December 2021, western Kentucky was hit by a series of deadly and destructive tornadoes, destroying over 1,300 homes. In July 2022, record-setting floods inundated communities in eastern Kentucky. The flooding caused heavy damage to homes and local infrastructure. Recovery in both areas will takes years.

A rebuilt house in eastern Kentucky.

Response:

Since December, Lutheran Disaster Response has been working closely with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod in developing long-term recovery plans for each disaster. In each region, the synod is collaborating with local partners to repair and rebuild homes damaged by the tornadoes and flooding. The grants from Lutheran Disaster Response are being used for construction material and labor costs.

Be part of the response:

Pray
Please pray for people who have been affected by the tornadoes and flooding in Kentucky over the past year. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used to assist survivors in Kentucky and around the world.

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook, follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, and follow @ELCA_LDR on Instagram.
• Download the situation report and share as a PDF.

Situation:

Beginning on July 27, a line of severe storms dumped record amounts of rain on eastern Kentucky, overflowing rivers and creeks onto streets and neighborhoods. Rising waters damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges and power lines, which hindered rescue efforts. The flooding destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings.

Response:

To respond to the flooding, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is supporting the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to rebuild homes in Owsley County, one of the poorest counties in Kentucky. The homes all belong to families who wouldn’t have been able to rebuild without financial support. Additionally, the synod is replacing septic tanks for 25 families. LDR is also supporting Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, which accompanies Manna from Heaven, a feeding ministry in Myra, KY, that received an ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grant. It lost everything inside the building and the LDR grant will replace the building’s contents, including furniture and food storage appliances, as well as rewiring the electricity for the building.

Be part of the response:

Pray
Please pray for people who have been affected by the flooding in Kentucky. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response (U.S. Flooding) will be used entirely  (100%) to assist flood survivors.

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook, follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, and follow @ELCA_LDR on Instagram.
• Download the situation report and share as a PDF.

Situation:

On the night of May 30, a series of storms, including tornadoes, swept through the Central Great Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. In Minnesota, heavily affected communities included Eagle Bend, Clarissa and Browerville, where over 100 buildings were damaged. In South Dakota, a tornado impacted the area around the city of Brandon, severely damaging Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in Valley Springs.

Response:

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying both the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and the South Dakota Synod as they respond to the tornadoes. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod will provide basic necessities to impacted community members in the Eagle Bend area. The South Dakota Synod is working with Beaver Valley Lutheran Church to assess its physical damage and begin rebuilding and recovery efforts. The grant from Lutheran Disaster Response will be used for storage units and office supplies to inform people of the changes to upcoming community events and worship services.

Be part of the response:

Pray
Please pray for people who have been affected by the tornadoes in South Dakota and Minnesota. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response (U.S. Tornadoes) will be used entirely  (100%) to assist tornado survivors.

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook, follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, and follow @ELCA_LDR on Instagram.
• Download the situation report and share as a PDF.

Situation

On the night of Dec. 10, a devastating outbreak of more than 30 tornadoes swept through six states. Kentucky was impacted the most, with more than 80 people reported dead and 1,300 homes destroyed.

Disaster survivors often seek FEMA assistance, but undocumented households may not be eligible and may have fears about seeking help from government or community resources due to the possibility of deportation, discrimination or other forms of retaliation.

Response

Church World Service, with support from Lutheran Disaster Response, is providing financial support for undocumented families who are unable to receive federal aid. CWS will respond to acute needs for resources and financial assistance and short-term community integration goals to promote the safety and stability of children and their families in the aftermath of the disaster. Additionally, Lutheran Disaster Response and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod are collaborating with Kentucky VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) to assist in the development of long-term recovery operations.

Be a part of the response:

Pray
Please pray for people who have been affected by the tornadoes in Kentucky. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.

Give
Thanks to generous donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters around the globe. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response (U.S. Tornadoes) will be used in full (100%) to assist tornado survivors.

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
• Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook, follow @ELCALDR on Twitter, and follow @ELCA_LDR on Instagram.
• Download the situation report and share as a PDF.

This is Pastor Michael Stadie, Program Director for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR).

Last week I returned from a week-long visit to the Minot, North Dakota area. As you know, the area was profoundly impacted by flooding in June of 2011. (Please see the previous blog post from Matthew Ley about the One-Year Anniversary events.)

While there, I had the opportunity to see the work going on at Hope Village, the volunteer and construction site for the rebuilding efforts by our affiliate, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota (LSSND), and other partners. Shirley Dykshoorn is the LDR coordinator for LSSND. While the actual volunteer housing portion of Hope Village is going on hiatus, the work will continue through the winter months with volunteers staying at “satellite” sites—area congregations. Shirley and her staff are doing a great job working at making sure the volunteers and materials are coming together to efficiently help with the rebuilding process.

While progress is being made, there is still a great need for rebuilding; something that will continue for several more years. There is a special need for skilled construction workers, especially electricians and plumbers. And what is true in Minot is also true for most of the other reconstruction sites—more skilled laborers would help more families move back into their homes.

During my time there, I also made these observations:

• This flood is unique in that it impacted every quadrant of the city.
• The way the river flows through the city means the flood impacted many neighborhoods that are isolated from one another. For many reasons, this slows the long term recovery process.
• Because of the above reasons, as well as some others, the long term recovery process will take longer than most flooding events.
• Lutheran Disaster Response will need to encourage volunteer teams to work in the Minot area for a longer time than normal.

Despite the challenges, there is hope shining through, literally. The New York Says Thank You Foundation work includes asking children to make “Stars of Hope.” Children from the Minot have made stars which been put on stakes and “planted” all around the area as a symbol of hope and encouragement. These multicolored stars not only brighten up the streets, they put a smile on the face of those driving through the areas still under construction as a reminder there is indeed hope, something that the people of Minot and the surrounding area live each day.