Lutheran Church Charities and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCSM) Southern District thank the following L.E.R.T. disaster response volunteers that deployed to serve Hurricane Ida-affected residents in Louisiana this past week.
 
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, East Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel, Shobinier – Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn – Larry Zagorski
Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Jeff Johnston
 
This team provided many days of chainsaw work, cutting, and removing downed and damaged trees from affected homeowners’ properties in Slidell, Hammond, and New Orleans. They worked with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, and a team from Flower Mounds, Texas, through the Southern District Office in Slidell, Louisiana.

The team spent the first three days clearing many large downed trees off of three neighbors' properties in Hammond. Each property had extensive home and tree damage, making their homes uninhabitable until repairs are done. They had the opportunity to speak to two homeowners who are still staying in temporary housing in Houston, Texas.
 
Both expressed their gratitude for all of the assistance to make their home accessible to them and start them on the road to recovery, which they know will take some time. The team left each homeowner a slice of their tree with a cross in it to remind them that Jesus Christ is with them always.

Pastor Ed is welcoming and receiving L.E.R.T. volunteers through November, who are willing to deploy from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, the volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Hammond, Houma, Baton Rouge, and other cities.
 
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the public works, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Louisiana.

A second Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. disaster response team has deployed and is assisting the LCMS Southern District to recover from Hurricane Ida this week. They also brought 20 flood buckets that the Palatine L.E.R.T. team had assembled to give to hurricane-affected homeowners. The teams are working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, and the Southern District Office in Slidell, Louisiana.
 
Nine LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. volunteers have begun serving in Hammond and Metairie, Louisiana, and describe extensive home and tree damage in these coastal communities. They have continued to work on a property with multiple large downed and damaged trees that another LCC team had started on their week of deployment. The homeowner is very grateful for all of the assistance and care shown to him.

Pastor Ed is welcoming and receiving L.E.R.T. volunteers who are willing to deploy from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, the volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Houma, Baton Rouge, and other cities.
 
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the public works, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Louisiana.
 
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, 10 tornados, and historic flash flooding as it moved inland across eight states at the beginning of the month. FEMA is currently reporting 111 deaths attributed to this deadly hurricane. Some residents and businesses are still without power in multiple states, which may take another week to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope.
 
LCC L.E.R.T. disaster response teams are assisting the LCMS Southern District, working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie and the Southern District Office in Slidell, Louisiana.

LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. volunteers, Tony Buchberger, Derek Kowalczyk, and Joel Powless spent this past week serving in Slidell, Hammond, Metairie, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a team from Texas. They describe extensive home and tree damage in each community they were in.
 
They met several homeowners who told them although there is much more work to be done at their homes, they were grateful for help with tree removal and getting them started moving forward in their recovery. It gave them hope and an opportunity to see how the church serves those in need. Another LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team with equipment will be deploying next week to serve in these hard-hit communities.

Pastor Ed is continuing to assess the damage and now welcoming and receiving L.E.R.T. volunteers from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, he and volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Houma, Baton Rouge, and other cities.
 
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and the first responders, public works, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Louisiana.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, 10 tornados, and historic flash flooding as it moved inland across eight states at the beginning of the month. FEMA is currently reporting 111 deaths attributed to this deadly hurricane. Millions of residents and businesses are still without power in multiple states, which may take a few more weeks to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope.

Currently, there is intermittent electricity, water pressure is extremely low, and the sewer systems are not operational until the end of the month in parts of Louisiana. This means that it is still difficult to get food, gas, and other essential items needed for residents and volunteers in some areas.
 
Pastor Ed continues to assess the damage and now welcomes and receives L.E.R.T. volunteers from around the country to provide chainsaw assistance. More importantly, he and volunteer L.E.R.T. teams are offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Slidell, Lacombe, Houma, and other communities.

Early Tuesday morning, Nicholas made landfall near Houston, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane and continues to drop massive rain as a tropical storm making its way into Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The slow-moving Nicholas will drop anticipated rainfall of 6 to 10 inches in Louisiana, with isolated totals reaching 15 to 20 inches. Flash flooding is expected. Please pray for L.E.R.T. teams who are helping affected homeowners during these difficult times.
 
Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Nicholas and for all of the first responders, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in these hard-hit communities.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, 10 tornados, and historic flash flooding as it hit at the end of August and moved inland across eight states at the beginning of the month. FEMA is currently reporting 68 deaths, with this number expected to rise. Millions of residents and businesses are without power in multiple states, which may take weeks to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope.

LCC L.E.R.T. disaster response teams will be assisting the LCMS Southern District, working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, Louisiana. A first and small LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. team will be arriving on September 12th to serve for one week. Plans are being made for a second team with equipment to deploy as well this month.

Currently, there is no electricity, water pressure is extremely low, and the sewer systems are not operational until the end of the month in parts of Louisiana. It is very difficult to get food, gas, and other essential items needed for residents and volunteers. Pastor Ed is currently assessing damage, determining equipment needs, planning for safe volunteer lodging and deployments. More importantly, he is offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard-hit communities of Metairie, Houma, Thibodaux, Raceland, LaPlace, and Lafitte.

Power was partially restored to some areas, but full restoration is not expected until September 30. Eleven parishes are still on mandatory evacuation orders, with nine on partial evacuation orders with curfews. In addition, heat advisory continues with temperatures reaching 105 Fahrenheit.

Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the first responders, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in these hard-hit communities.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, have been monitoring Hurricane Ida and the destruction it left in its path through the southern and northeastern coastal states. They are in close contact with Rev. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response, as well as District Presidents and Disaster Response Coordinators.

Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, produced winds up to 150 mph, ten tornados, and historic flash flooding as it moved inland across eight states this past week. FEMA is currently reporting 65 deaths, with this number expected to rise. Millions of residents and businesses are without power in multiple states, which may take weeks to restore. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings, security, and hope.
 
LCC L.E.R.T. disaster response teams will be assisting the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southern District, working with Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator through Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, Louisiana, when it is safe for volunteers to deploy. There is no electricity, water pressure is extremely low and the sewer systems are not operational and will not be for some time all throughout the state of Louisiana. This means that it is very difficult to get food, gas and other essential items needed for residents and volunteers. Pastor Ed is currently assessing damage, determining equipment needs, planning for safe volunteer lodging and deployments. More importantly, he is offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the hard hit communities of Metairie, Houma, Thibodaux, Raceland, LaPlace and Lafitte.

Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Ida and for all of the first responders, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in these hard-hit communities.
 
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response stands ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

LCC received an update and urgent financial assistance request from Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo, Professor in Ethiopia, Lutheran Bible Translators and Rev. Abraham Mengesha, Past President of Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY):

On August 29, the 16th anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida made landfall in southern Louisiana with Category 4 strength of 150+ mph winds, slamming into Port Fourchon, Leeville, and Grand Isle. One of the strongest storms to make landfall is now a massive tropical storm moving slowly at 8 mph but plowing a destructive path through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, have been monitoring the storm since Sunday and are in close contact with Rev. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response, as well as District Presidents and Disaster Response Coordinators.

Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, will begin assessments in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama as soon as it is safe to do so. Mid-South District President Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola stated he would closely watch the storm’s path through his district in Mississippi and Tennessee. Both intend to keep LCC posted on the effects of Hurricane Ida on their respective Districts and how LCC can assist with recovery efforts.

Packing a powerful punch, Ida continues to produce flash flooding as well as tornadoes as it moves inland over the next several days. Emergency Management is currently reporting four deaths in Louisiana and Mississippi. Other residents are being rescued from attics and rooftops in LaPlace, Louisiana. Over one million residents and businesses are without power which may take weeks to restore.

Much of Louisiana has lost water supply due to the storm. Ida has dropped more than 10 inches of rain in the past 48 hours over portions of Louisiana and Mississippi, some areas toppling 18 inches. Both Louisiana and Mississippi will experience major power outages, water and gas shortages for several weeks. Extensive damage has been reported in the following cities so far with many more areas continuing to be impacted:

Louisiana: Delacroix, Golden Meadow, Gray, Grand Isle, Houma, LaFitte, LaPlace, Leeville, New Orleans, Port Fourchon, Raceland, Thibodeaux, Venice
Mississippi: Gulfport, Jackson

Please pray for the safety of those in the path of Hurricane Ida and for all of the first responders, volunteers, and LCMS and LCC Disaster Response teams who serve them. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in the hardest-hit communities.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response stands ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Monday, August 9, and continuing for several hours, strong storms with torrential downpours produced a confirmed ten tornadoes, four of them in Sycamore, as part of an outbreak of severe weather in the Illinois counties of DeKalb and Kane. Then, from August 10 through August 12, all of northern Illinois experienced severe storms with 50 – 70 mph winds, causing widespread tree and home damage.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and several LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw leaders began assessing damage in many communities each day, while other L.E.R.T. teams provided chainsaw assistance. In 10 days, we completed 24 sites in 14 different communities with 66 volunteers.

These three sites required chainsaws, heavy equipment, and the boom lift in operation for seven days. Scott, one of the homeowners, had his entire family working with us each day so that his kids would see volunteers joyfully serving them and their neighbors in their time of need.

These families have been overwhelmed with the amount of damage. They are so appreciative of all of the assistance and care showed to them.

Sam received a frantic call from his elderly and disabled parents after strong winds blew over a large neighbor’s tree onto their garage, workshop, and yard, as well as pulled live wires into their property. Although they were grateful the tree and wires did not hit their home, they did not know how they would clean up all of the damage.

Sam worked with the L.E.R.T. team, cutting the large limbs from the roof and yard. His mom and dad sat in the yard and watched all of the work being done. She kept praising God for the angels he brought to help them. When the team was finished, she gave all hugs, blew kisses, and said a blessing.

Lutheran Church Charities also extends many thanks to the 66 volunteers that have come from the following 26 Lutheran churches in Illinois and Wisconsin:

Starting early evening on Monday, August 9, and continuing for several hours, strong storms with torrential downpours produced at least six tornadoes as part of an outbreak of severe weather in the Illinois counties of DeKalb and Kane. Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, closely monitored storms throughout the night to determine the hardest-hit areas.

Early Tuesday morning, Kathy O’Day and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw leaders Marty Johnson and Larry Zagorski began visiting homeowners in the affected areas to assess damage to their properties. Several large homeowner sites in Sycamore have been scheduled and clean-up work will start today. Each site will take 4 – 7 days to complete due to the massive amount of tree and property damage. LCC Disaster Response will be working out of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn, Illinois, which has one of LCC’s L.E.R.T. and K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams.

We will also assist several neighbors and complete additional assessments in this rural area over the next couple of weeks.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.