The following update is from Vern Hall, the Schoharie Basin Team Leader for Lutheran Disaster Response, of the situation in Upstate New York. The area was hit hard by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in August and September 2011 respectively leading to heavy rains and intense flooding. The update is also a good reminder that disaster response work is about the long-haul and even when national and regional attention fades the work still needs to be done.

On February 20, 2012, I had the pleasure of meeting with 60+ volunteers from Lutheran congregations in Columbia County in the flood-devastated town of Prattsville in the Schoharie Basin. They were a continuing part of the Lutheran volunteer presence in the area. On the 28th, 6 months into the recovery effort, there was a gathering of Remembrance, Hope and Recovery in the town of Schoharie. It occurred at 6:30PM, after sunset and the town was dark from the many still empty and unrepaired homes; still empty, because 6 months is not enough time, not enough money, and not enough workers to tackle the job of recovery. Not all the money from FEMA has arrived. Many still wait to hear from insurance providers. And people are simply exhausted. Preliminary estimates are that it will take at least $30,000,000 to recover to a new normalcy. Less than $2,000,000 has been raised. Interest has waned and those not affected wonder why the job is not yet done.

The Green Shirts – Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) are arriving March 7th to begin their assessment and that job is estimated to be finished by the end of March. At that time, our Long Term Recovery Group, SALT (Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc.) will have definitive answers as to just how much more will be needed. Disaster Case Management teams will begin receiving clients and referring them to the Unmet Needs/Financial Assistance Committee for resolution. Currently, there is not anywhere near enough funds to do the job. It is estimated that it will take at least 3-5 years to bring us to the new normalcy. Help will be needed from our friends and neighbors, our brothers and sisters in Christ. The faith community is playing a large role in the recovery and has done so since the floods happened. Several churches themselves were devastated, but rebuilding is going on. Hope springs eternal. Our faith makes us strong.

We are hopeful that other Lutheran congregations will continue to help us in the recovery to the new normalcy. Volunteers and yes, funding. And, it is not only in the Schoharie Basin that the troubles lie. The Binghamton area and areas along the Mohawk were also hit and will also need our help. Lutheran Disaster Response is stretched thin, even with help from the National church. More is needed and for a long period of time. Keep us in your prayers and remember us with your continued contributions. Donations should be channeled through Lutheran Disaster Response. Volunteers can contact SALT and they will be directed to where the need is.

– Vern Hall, Schoharie Basin Team Leader for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR)

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Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response allow the church to respond at home and globally in times of need. Donate now.

The Minot Daily News has another article this week on an ELCA congregation in Minot. This time they are highlighting First Lutheran, which is located very close to the river. It was saved from major flooding by the dikes that were built right outside its doors. Unfortunately sewage backup led to extensive damage of their basements.

The fact that this is the second article on the churches from the paper and the content of this article really drove home for me that disaster response is a marathon, not a sprint. Reading Pastor Ken Nelson’s words about the added decisions flooding has brought to First Lutheran’s leadership from the usage of space, the clean up of damages and connection with church members makes one exhausted thinking about it. Yet, as Pastor Ken eloquently put it at the end of the article, as we look forward to Easter: “There is resurrection even in this life. You can live again in houses that looked like tombs last July.” I’m sure there’s a sermon in there somewhere :).

Please continue to keep the people of Minot in prayer during this Lenten season as they continue to be defined not by this tragedy but their inclusion in the body of Christ to which we all belong.

Read the article: First Through the Flood

Last Tuesday the Minot Daily News had an article highlighting Christ Lutheran Church and their story since the flooding last June. It was a great read, especially having been there last month and being able to put faces and places with the names. But even with that added value for me I think it’s a wonderful example of what Lutheran Disaster Response is all about and offers one really good lesson on disaster preparedness.

I’ll let the article speak for itself but I’ll give you three things to look for:

1) how can cell phones play a role in disasters and how is this related to disaster preparedness?

2) what does it look like to be church in the midst of disaster?

3) why is it important for the church to be present ‘for the long haul’ in disaster response?

Enjoy the read and a shout out to Pastor Mike Johnson for some great words of wisdom in here.

Check out the article: ‘Prayer is our biggest need’: Christ Lutheran Church keeps faith alive during hard times

The president has just declared two counties in Alabama (Jefferson & Chilton) federal disaster areas. This means they are now able to receive federal funds to help them respond to the effects of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding early last week. Other counties maybe included once the total assessment of damages has been carried out. You can read more about it in the FEMA News Release.

Due to the immensity of damages and the large turnout of volunteers the city of Clay has put a hold on volunteer involvement until they have a coordinated “volunteer day” on February 11. To learn more see the city’s Volunteer & Donors page.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

My name is Matthew Ley and I am the Program Interpreter for ELCA Disaster Response. Last week I had my first trip to Minot, ND to check in on the progress made since the flooding from this past summer and to host a respite retreat for the local ELCA pastors. It was a bit of a roller-coaster event emotionally as I learned about and saw first-hand the devastation caused by the flooding. However, because of this event I was able to connect with an amazing set of ordained and lay leaders of this church. I figure the best way to get across what happened is to walk you through the days.

Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012
My first introduction to Minot after the airport was arriving at Sherie & Pat Heine’s house around 11:30pm. With hotels being booked solid with oil workers and people working around the disaster, my search for rooms were met with either no’s or price tags upwards of $160/night. And so Sherie, Western North Dakota Synod Vice-President, and her mother, Pat, graciously agreed to house me during my time. Although it wasn’t official until Toughy, their dog, made sure I passed muster.
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Early this morning severe storms with high winds, and in some places tornadoes, pounded the South and Midwest. One of the heaviest hit areas was Alabama, where the storms and tornadoes led to two confirmed deaths in Birmingham, AL. Soon afterward the governor declared a state of emergency. Search and rescue work continues in heavier hit Montgomery, AL. We have also heard from our companions in the region that Faith Lutheran Church in Clay, AL was not damaged, but the building has lost power and some members of the congregation have been affected.

The state has also been in the midst of recovery from storms on April 27, 2011 that struck the northwest part of the state. One of the affects of this was major damage to Christ Lutheran in Cullman, AL. You can read more in this Field Report and at the LDR Volunteer page.

In these coming days, please keep all those affected in prayer, that God may bring them comfort. Also, keep the first responders, members of the Southeast synod, Pastor Larry Richardson and Faith Lutheran as well as the Lutheran Ministries of Alabama in prayer, that God may give them strength and patience for the days ahead.

As we learn more please check the ELCA Disaster Response webpage and the Lutheran Disaster Response site for more information. If you are in the area and want to know more please contact Ron Turney (ron.turney@lmal.org) or Heather Turney (heather.turney@lmal.org) of Lutheran Ministries of Alabama (205-259-6480).