Hurricane Irene - August 2011

The Situation:

The strong winds and heavy rain of Hurricane Irene left a trail of devastation from North Carolina to Maine. The storm continues to wreak havoc in parts of New Jersey, Vermont and other places overwhelmed by flooding. The full extent of the storm and its damages will continue to unfold in the days and weeks ahead.

One ELCA congregation, Bethany Lutheran Church in Central Bridge, New York, has reported flooding.

ELCA Response:

Access the ELCA Disaster Response Blog page.

ELCA Disaster Response has been in communication with people in affected communities around the United States. Discussions and evaluations have been made around the ability to respond, shortfalls of resources and emerging needs that are present.

ELCA congregations and members are already gearing up to respond to those in need. In Delaware, three ELCA congregations took action by providing meals for evacuated residents who were staying in shelters. In eastern Pennsylvania, teams of volunteers are being organized to assist with clean-up.

What you can do:

Pray:

Download prayers, litanies and suggested hymns and songs for use in worship with your congregation as a way of remembering those affected by these and other natural disasters.

Give:

Gifts to ELCA Disaster Response "U.S. Hurricane Relief" will be used entirely (100 percent) to provide the type of immediate and long-lasting support that is already underway in the affected regions. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Volunteer:

Volunteers are needed across the United States--especially in Minot, North Dakota. Find out more information on how you can help.