Update, October 21, 2019:
Sunday night, October 21, a tornado touched down in north Dallas/Richardson area, possibly a F-3, NALC Disaster Response stands ready to respond. Please pray for the families who lost loved ones. Monetary donations may be sent to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Update, September 24, 2019:
NALC Disaster Response will be at St. John Lutheran Church – Montpelier OH on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4-5pm to “Stuff the Truck,” collecting up donations of flood buckets, quilts, health kits, school kits and layettes for emergency disaster response.
If you are able, please deliver your donations to St. John’s by Saturday or before — and pass on the word!
Update, September 13, 2019:
Menno, South Dakota is flooding from yesterday’s storms. Pastor Theresa Jacobson and members are sandbagging in an attempt to save the church.
Update, September 6, 2019:
NALC Disaster Response has communicated with our pastors and congregations on the East Coast; from Jacksonville, FL to Atlantic City, NJ.
Thank you Jesus for your gracious blessings! Hurricane Dorian touched the coast in the Carolinas, causing localized flooding and tidal surge. However, other than power outages, there are no severe damage reports. Our congregations are reaching out to the larger communities in each state to offer aid and assistance. A load of flood buckets from the Disaster Warehouse at Advent Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain, NC will be delivered to our congregation in North Charleston, SC. Thank you Pastor Melinda Jones for serving the Charleston area at Advent Lutheran Church, North Charleston.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
If you would like to donate emergency relief supplies and gift cards for long-term recovery efforts, please send them to Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724 or contact Mary about other arrangements at [email protected].
To provide assistance in the Bahamas, which was devastated by Hurricane Dorian, please send your support to Water Mission.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Update, September 4, 2019:
Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, has talked with Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina congregations. Our pastors and congregations are prepared for Hurricane Dorian. Storm surge is the most significant issue to anticipate. Emergency relief supplies and volunteers are loaded and ready to go as needed. Please send your prayers for the Bahamas and our congregations on the East Coast!
To donate, please send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Update, September 3, 2019:
Hurricane Dorian, the first major hurricane of the 2019 storm season, slammed into the Bahamas as a powerful Category 4 storm. The storm’s powerful winds and heavy downpours have caused unprecedented flooding and damaged countless homes and businesses. Rescue workers are working quickly to assist individuals and families trapped in their houses, while organizations are organizing aid and relief efforts to help all those affected by record-setting Dorian.
As Dorian moves over the Bahamas, it has its sights set on much of the southeastern coast. Meteorologists predict communities from Florida through North Carolina may be affected by the storm as it moves north over the coming days.
You can help families and communities affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and the United States today. NALC Disaster Response is taking donations of material emergency relief supplies at the disaster warehouses in Caldwell, Ohio and the Carolinas; and please send monetary donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Interested in funding long-term support for the communities affected by Hurricane Dorian? Volunteers and donations of building supplies, gift cards and monetary donations are needed for long-term recovery rebuilding. The NALC Disaster Response Fund allows donors to give now to support recovery needs that will continue to surface long after our attention and the media attention has turned away. Recovery after a major storm like Hurricane Dorian can take many months, if not years.
Update, September 2, 2019:
NALC Disaster Response is tracking Hurricane Dorian, a Category 4 hurricane, as it moves toward the United States. We stand ready to deploy emergency relief supplies, volunteers, and assistance in support of our congregations. Your prayers and support are needed. Please pray for the thousands of families in harm’s way. Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, will post daily updates as the storm progresses. For more information, contact Mary at 740-509-1132 or [email protected]. To donate, please send your donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Update, August 22, 2019:
From Mary Bates, NALC disaster response coordinator: I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the Sept. 14 Iowa Mission District Convocation. I will have a display there and information on long-term recovery for rebuilding of homes in Nebraska and vicinity. The WNALC and NALC Disaster Response are also doing a “Stuff the Truck” instead of the semi like we did last year.
Please let me know how many items you will be bringing to the convocation, so I can bring the proper size of truck—I really hope to fill a 26′ box truck!
Print and share the following flyers (Stuff the Truck & WNALC Donation Requests). Contact me if you have any questions ([email protected]). See you Sept. 14!
Update, August 21, 2019:
From Tim Schubach (Miamisburg, OH) – I went out again this morning with Kim Moore to deliver furniture to tornado victims. We were a team of three with only two stops, but a pretty full load. We had a couple of beds, two ultra-heavy portable wardrobes, kitchen table with extension and chairs, two more sofa sleepers, a six piece sectional sofa, two TV’s, and several boxes of miscellaneous household items.
One thing I’d never thought about before … I asked one man if he was in the house when the tornado hit. He said no, he was in the county lockup. But when they all realized tornadoes had touched down, many of them started to cry knowing that they were safe in jail but not knowing anything about their families. And this man has six kids.
Even tho the Oregon District shooting pushed the tornado out of the spotlight a little, please don’t be fooled into thinking the needs have been met. Some of these pictures are from near Ground Zero in Trotwood.
Update, July 10, 2019:
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Auburn, CA is reaching out to Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgecrest, CA after the 5.4 and the 7.1 earthquakes and the multiple aftershocks that have devastated Ridgecrest and the surrounding communities. Through our partnership with Grace Lutheran, a LCMC congregation whose pastor, Kris Madsen, is dual rostered, hundreds of families will be served. Since the store shelves are completely empty, Our Savior volunteers are delivering the first truck load of emergency relief supplies the week of July 8. Baby and adult diapers, non-perishable food items, Bibles, first aid kits, and personal care items are needed. Your support and prayers are needed. To support delivery of emergency supplies, send donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112.
Update, June 21, 2019:
Diane Walker, president of the Salem, West Alexandria, Ohio, Women of the North American Lutheran Church (SWNALC) reports, “Our group has collected donations to create health/hygiene and cleaning kits to provide disaster relief for the Dayton, Ohio area following the devastating tornados and for the flood victims in the Midwest area. As of date we have assembled over 500 health kits alone and approximately 300 or more cleaning kits for cleanup. We receive some donations from area residents and parishioners but the needs far surpass the donations … We have delivered and distributed many kits to Brookville, Trotwood, Northridge, and teamed up with the NALC Disaster Relief for distribution in downtown Dayton and for flood victims in the Midwest. What kits that will not be used locally will go to a warehouse in Caldwell, Ohio to be trucked to areas affected by natural disaster, but so far our local neighbors are still in need. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.”
Volunteer teams for rebuilding are needed now! Gift cards/donations of flooring, drywall and building supplies are also needed. Please send donations to: NALC Disaster Response — NALC Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio, 43724.
For more information, please contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response, at [email protected] or 740-509-1132.
Update, June 1, 2019:
There is currently a need for health kits. Send donations of health care kits to: NALC Disaster Response — NALC Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio, 43724.
Today, over 30 NALC volunteers are serving!
Update, May 31, 2019:
All Ohio NALC congregations near the path of the recent tornado are undamaged and are responding. Local congregations include: Salem – West Alexandria, Living Water – Centerville, Grace – West Carrollton, St John – Greenville, St John – Celina and Zion – St. Mary. Salem Lutheran Church in West Alexandria shared a recent update that they are still collecting, assembling and delivering food for the rescue workers. They have distributed prepared and dry food for victims, lots of water (a state of emergency was declared in Brookville due to water; tornado upgraded to EF4) 84 health kits and 17 large tubs of miscellaneous items. They have delivered about four truckloads of food, water and supplies since Tuesday. A local volunteer shared that she is “so amazed at God’s providence and the generosity of others.” Service groups in the community are using Salem Lutheran Church to brew large quantities of coffee and a local restaurant is loaning insulated carafes (Salem’s women’s group donated the coffee and cookies) to take to Brookville Fire Department for the rescue crews. The Salem Lutheran Church Facebook page had over 2,600 views so they are expecting more of specific donation requests made, such as respiratory masks, gloves, sunscreen, batteries, flashlights, chains for chainsaws, trash bags, baby wipes and more water. If the needs are met in the Brookville area, additional donations will be sent to Celina and the Midwest flood victims. Salem Lutheran Church’s response effort will be ongoing through NALC Disaster Response — send your donations to the NALC Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio, 43724
Celina, Ohio was in the path of the tornado. Celina First Church of God has already established a response team. The congregation has been feeding people and giving out bottles of water since the tornado hit. They also have a large supply of boxes for people to pack up what they can salvage from their homes. Local businesses made donations of food and personal hygiene items, most of which are being distributed by First Church of God. In the aftermath, there are people driving golf carts through the areas of Celina that have been hit, handing out water and snacks to people as they work to clean up debris. Several streets are closed to all traffic except cleanup crews and golf carts. St. John members and Pastor Karen are assisting as needed.
While not very wide, the tornado’s path was almost two miles long, and the damage to homes ranged from slight to total loss. People in the community are saying they have no choice but to tear down what is left and rebuild. Fortunately, only eight people were displaced by the storm. The remaining people whose homes are inhabitable have been able to stay with family and friends. Unfortunately, there was one fatality from the storm when an SUV was picked up by the tornado and hit the home of an elderly gentleman. The tornado’s path went through a fairly affluent neighborhood where homes were well built, well insured, and insurance agents were very quick to respond to the disaster. Had the tornado veered less than half a mile in another direction, the area hit could have included mobile homes, and older homes that could not have withstood the storm. The damage would have been much more severe, and the number of people affected would have been much higher.
None of the homes in the area have power. Electric tools and household appliances are being run with generators which, unfortunately, is not something to which everyone has access. However, neighbors are sharing what they have, and people whose homes were not damaged are pitching in and helping out where needed. Power is expected to be returned within the next day or two. Additionally, response has been so great that First Church of God is expected to close down its food service due to the dwindling need.
If you would like to make a donation to the Disaster Response Team’s work in Ohio, please consider donating gift cards and Bibles. Donations can be sent to: NALC Disaster Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724. At the NALC Convocation, Mary Bates will have a small trailer for donated material goods while the WNALC will be hosting a “Stuff the Tonka” truck for gift cards.
In addition to the work being done in Ohio, NALC Disaster Response is continuing to identify and assess needs in the Great Plains Mission Region due to recent flooding. Thank you to the congregations for sharing the love of Jesus on the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers.
Update, May 29, 2019:
Our thoughts and prayers are with thousands of families impacted by this severe weather: over 500 reported tornadoes for 12 straight days, spread from Colorado to New Jersey, 8 fatalities; flooding from South Dakota to Louisiana, setting historic records, and severe thunderstorms later this week as the jetstream causes conflicting storm systems across the US.
In the uncertainty of the days and weeks ahead, may the families who have lost everything find comfort and solace in the love of God, who holds each of us close in times of sorrow and despair. I have been in contact with most of our pastors and congregations. While none of our churches have been damaged, preliminary reports are that some members of our congregations have suffered damage to their homes. Due to the widespread destruction, I am asking our pastors and congregational members to help with assessment and identification of needs. Updates will be forthcoming.
Your help is needed: prayer, monetary donations, volunteer, your material goods! Send your donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112
May we lift up in prayer the families, the first responders, our congregations and those who share the love of Jesus as thousands begin to rebuild their loves and their homes.
For more information, please contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response, at [email protected] or 740-509-1132.
Update, May 28, 2019:
NALC Disaster Response is responding to the recent onset of storms from Texas to Ohio. Memorial Day, three tornadoes touched down in Ohio, causing significant damage throughout western Ohio. Flooding is occurring on the Mississippi River, due to the March Nebraska storms and current rainfall, impacting Fayetteville and surrounding areas. Oklahoma and adjacent areas have been flooded and impacted by tornadoes, causing damages to thousands of homes.
Thankfully, NALC congregations have minimal impact so they and NALC Disaster Response are reaching out to the larger community and serving; sharing the love of Jesus. NALC Disaster Response is providing emergency relief supplies due to “Stuff the Truck” events at the Ohio Mission Region Convocation, the Carolinas Convocation, and the Great Rivers Leader Retreat. There is a need for additional Stuff the Truck events, so prepare for the national NALC Convocation by collecting gift cards to “Stuff the Tonka” toy truck or contact Mary Bates to schedule a Stuff the Truck.
To volunteer for clean up efforts in your local community, contact your county emergency management agency or Mary Bates, [email protected].
Volunteers are being scheduled for long term recovery in North Carolina for Hurricane Florence at this time. Donation management needs are: Bibles (St. Elias Lutheran Church in Chicago needs Bibles written in Arabic), health kits and layettes are needed, and by late July/August school kits and quilts are needed. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Update, April 15, 2019:
On Sunday April 14, tornadoes struck the southern United States, killing eight including two children in a car destroyed by a tree. Pastor Mark Braaten and a volunteer team from his church have deployed to help with clean up in Texas. Families in Vicksburg, MS, and also Louisiana, have damages. The Midwest had a tornado in north central Ohio, Mansfield area. Damages are being assessed at this time. As storms continue across the United States, I am thankful for our NALC congregations and their hard work, reaching out to families in need. Your help is needed: prayers, donations of emergency response supplies, volunteer teams and monetary support. Keep your prayers and donations coming!
For more information, contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724 or 740-509-1132 or [email protected].
Update, April 17, 2019:
Rosebud Indian Reservation is asking for help to rebuild homes that the homeowners are unable to complete themselves. See the below list—if you can volunteer or send gift cards, please contact Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.
MARCH 13, 2019
STORM
********** HOMES DAMAGED **********
Nancy M
Antelope Community
Damages are to the ceiling in the living room and the entryway to the bathroom.
Mold appears to be on the lower portion of living room wall nearer to the floor. This may be an issue that was possibly occurring before the storm.
Francis K
Antelope Community
Trailer with ceiling damage.
Amos B
Antelope Community
East of Mission-Hidden Timber Road
Damage to ceiling in the living room and bathroom.
Bette Ann M
Antelope Community-Mission
Roof damage to soffit area on the East side. The covering for the deck pulled away from the house due to snow and ice load and high winds.
Damage to ceiling of 2 bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.
Matt T
Antelope Community
2 connected Sioux 400s
Damage to ceiling in multiple areas of home. Also damage to exterior siding.
Bertha S
Antelope Community
Evangeline G
Rosebud Community
Trailer with damage to living room, bathroom and sink area.
Sidney B, Eastern Antelope Community-Hidden Timber Road-Blue & White Double-wide),
Aldelbert Y
Trailer ceiling damage
Delbert & Marie B
Black Pipe Community
C-Store turn, 2 buildings South of Head Start, House #209.
Transitional house with ceiling damage to kitchen and living room.
Marcy L
Two Strike Community
Trailer with ceiling damage to most of the home.
Dale G
Grass Mountain Community
Trailer
Damage to ceiling of 2 bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.
Ken S
Grass Mountain Community
Home has damage to be assessed after water recedes.
Gilly R
Grass Mountain Community
Trailer with damage to ceiling.
Bernard W
St. Francis Community
Storm Damaged Trailer House
Update, April 4, 2019:
We are restocking the warehouse, however, I just learned that the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations on the border of Nebraska and South Dakota are completely flooded by the Platte River and no one has been helping. Pastor Jeff Cottingham of Trinity, Gothenburg, NE asked if there was any help available — if you would like to help send emergency relief supplies, gift cards and monetary donations are welcome. Send your donations to NALC Disaster Warehouse, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724 or call Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator at 740-509-1132!
Update, April 1, 2019:
Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator, reports the Nebraska flooding is historic, worse than the 1952 floods. Over 60,000 homes flooded in 29 communities. A U-Haul full of supplies has been loaded and is on its way to Pastor Bob Carlson at Faith Lutheran Church, Dannebrog, NE.
Update, March 21, 2019:
Faith Lutheran Church, Dannebrog, NE is flooded. The pastor and most of the members’ homes are flooded. NALC Disaster Response is delivering emergency relief supplies; flood buckets, health kits, school supplies, Bibles and quilts. Our congregations are responding with donations of material goods, volunteer teams and lots of prayer. To support our families and the 29 flooded communities in Nebraska and the Great Plains Mission District, please send your donations to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. Contact Mary Bates for more information as to how you can help at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].
Update, March 20, 2019:
Rev. Jeff Cottingham, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Gothenburg, NE, reports,
Rockport, MO, Dannebrog, NE, Westboro, MO and possibly Johnson, NE are affected. . . . Through local efforts here spearheaded by people in town, the first of three truckloads of materials were delivered into the Wood River region on Monday. The need is so widespread that it is hard to know where to even begin.
This photo is staggering – taken of Interstate 29 running down the Missouri River (fully a mile away from the road itself) south of Omaha, Nebraska.
NALC Disaster Response stands ready to provide support for any of your congregations, families and communities who have flooded. If your church or any families have damages, please contact Mary Bates as soon as possible at 740-509-1132.
If you would like to reach out to the larger community, let Mary know and we can transport flood buckets and other emergency relief supplies to your church for distribution.
Our prayers are with you!
Update, March 19, 2019:
Over 60,000 families have been impacted by recent flooding and storms across the Midwest. NALC Disaster Response is providing support to our local congregations in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana due to recent storms. To donate, please send a check or money order to NALC Disaster Response, 2299 Palmer Dr., Suite 220, New Brighton, MN 55112. To donate flood buckets and other emergency relief supplies, contact Mary Bates at [email protected] or at 740-509-1132. Please keep our congregations and the thousands of families in your prayers.
Update, January 29, 2019:
Schedule to Volunteer Today!
Your help is needed in Texas for Hurricane Harvey long-term recovery and also in North Carolina for Hurricane Florence long-term recovery. Together we can make a difference in a family’s life. Please don’t hesitate to share the love of Jesus and your time, talents and treasures.
There is a massive amount of home rebuilding that needs done in the Houston area of Texas — volunteers are housed at Peace Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rosenberg, TX!
For Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, NALC Disaster Response has established volunteer housing at Reformation Lutheran Church, New Bern, NC and also St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Wilmington, NC.
Volunteers bring new hope to the many families who still don’t have homes. We rebuild lives after disasters one home at a time. For more information, contact Mary Bates, NALC Disaster Response coordinator at 740-509-1132 or [email protected].