CWS appeal: 2008 Spring U.S. storms (updated)

Figures are beginning to emerge in each state. 

IOWA — Flooding increasing across state around Cedar River, Des Moines River, and tributaries.  Infrastructure dislocations significantly impacting
everything. Five Red Cross shelters open across state.

INDIANA — FEMA preliminary disaster assessments underway in 43 counties, some areas still inaccessible. Multi-agency warehouse operated by Seventh Day Adventist set up in Indianapolis to receive all donated goods, except food and water. 

ILLINOIS — Counties affected: Lawrence, Clark, Coles, Adams and metro Chicago (southside).

CWS RESPONSE

Continued flooding in the Midwest, coupled with tornadoes across the U.S. means CWS anticipates performing work in Georgia, Maine, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

 

Material resources have been provided to communities recovering from disaster, thus far totaling $18,126. More material resources requests are likely.

 

Emergency Response Specialists are working to identify areas of need.  They are particularly focused on identifying vulnerable communities impacted by the severe weather. To foster long-term recovery, CWS is ready to support local, long-term recovery efforts with material resources, training and project development.

Even before the current flooding, the first half of 2008 had seen the most severe tornado outbreak in 23 years, flooding from Texas to Maine, and renewed flooding in areas that had barely dried out. Throughout this heavily-active season communities are working to recover from disaster no matter the form it might take.

GEORGIA – CWS is coordinating long-term recovery training in communities damaged by tornadoes May 11 and 12. At least 53 homes have been destroyed. Emergency Response Specialists are in contact with state Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster and CWS member denominational partners to assess training and project development opportunities.

MAINE – Aroostook County is very rural, about the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut, with a population of 73,000. Widespread flooding in the county appears to have disproportionally affected a sizeable Acadian population. Poverty levels hover around 15 percent. CWS has provided material resources to Catholic Charities Maine, including 225 CWS Baby Kits, 540 CWS School Kits, 1,081 CWS Hygiene Kits, 341 CWS Cleanup Buckets and 1,200 containers of emergency wipes, all valued at $47,293.

MISSOURI – The state endured the brunt of the damage from a weekend tornadic system that killed 13 in Newton County. Missouri residents hit by flooding in March now have additional recovery work. CWS has been requested to lead trainings to cover responses in Washington, St Francois, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Carter, Oregon and Ripley counties. Most of these counties have high poverty rates. CWS provided 50 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets to Ellington, Mo. at a value of $2,250.

VIRGINIA – The April 28 tornado that injured 200 people destroyed 500 homes. A subsequent tornado May 8 damaged caused at least $10 million damage in the western part of the state. CWS is in discussions with Virginia faith-based and secular disaster responders about supporting recovery from both storms with training and project development.

IOWA – A powerful tornado cut a 50-mile long path of destruction across north-central Iowa Sunday,May 25, killing six and destroying hundreds of homes. Nearly one third of homes and businesses in Parkersburg have been destroyed. Four people were killed in Parkersburg, an agrarian town of 2,000 people. Two were killed in nearby New Hartford. Emergency Response Specialists are in contact with voluntary agency and faith-based response groups already planning to assist in recovery in Parkersburg. CWS material resources may be provided and long-term recovery support, in the form of grants, training and project development, is likely.

MINNESOTA – At least 27 homes were destroyed and an estimated 500 were damaged in a tornado that struck Hugo, Sunday, May 25. The Town of Hugo is hosting a meeting May 27 for residents affected by the tornado. CWS personnel are in contact with voluntary agency and faith-based response groups.

COLORADO – Communities across northern Colorado are recovering from a spate of tornadoes last week, and have just been declared eligible for federal disaster assistance. CWS is in touch with a long-term recovery group already meeting to address unmet needs in Larimer and Weld Counties. CWS will provide a Long-Term recovery Tools and Training workshop for the committee, and possibly a grant to support this nascent group.

OKLAHOMA – A May 10 tornado struck Picher, Okla., a community already struggling with pollution problems from decades of heavy metals mining and its effect on a marginalized, Native American community. Long-term recovery is underway in Ottawa County, which received a federal disaster declaration. Because of Picher’s history with pollution and that a government-backed buyout is underway that would mean most residents would move, CWS expects to assist in recovery in this community in multiple forms.