Last week, LCC Disaster Response staff, Kathy O'Day and Jamie Miller, went to Watseka, Illinois, and met with Rev. Don Love from Calvary Lutheran Church regarding his congregation members and the town’s flood recovery. He reported that 110 homes have been declared substantially damaged and will need to be raised to FEMA flood plain standards or will be condemned. Many homeowners are struggling to now figure out what they will do next or where they will go. Another 250 homes are now beginning the process of flood repairs after having been mucked and gutted. The residents of this community are devastated and feeling hopeless.

LCC staff, along with Denney Smith (Calvary Lutheran LERT Team Leader and Congregation President) completed mold remediation of crawl spaces of several homes with new foggers recently purchased. The homeowners expressed appreciation for continued assistance as they move forward in their recovery.

Please continue to keep the residents of Watseka in your prayers as they are facing a long flood recovery process. LCC will continue to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

Rev. Don Love of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka and the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency has asked for more LERT volunteer assistance to help congregation members and residents of Watseka, Illinois, still trying to clean up from the February flooding. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC DR staff, and LERT team members will be partnering with the Central Illinois District of the LCMS for another muck-out workday on Thursday, April 5.

We will be doing muck outs, power washing of basements, removing carpet, drywall insulation and debris removal from homes damaged by the historic flooding in February. We will also be able to provide mold remediation with the foggers and disinfectant recently purchased.

This community has been hard hit and homeowners are struggling to recover. LCC LERT volunteers will continue to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need who are feeling exhausted and discouraged.

Disaster Response Teams Tackle Watseka
(Monday, March 5, 2018 – WAND 17 NBC)
 
CLICK HERE to watch broadcast

Families Are Devastated and Feeling Hopeless
 
LCC and LERT volunteers also listened to many stories of loss and were able to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those whom they were serving. One of these stories was from the Marrs family whose loss was devastating. They have 6 children ranging from 2 to 13 and eventually had to be evacuated by boat from their home as they could no longer hold back the water. It completely filled their basement and about 8” into the entire first floor. They stayed in the Red Cross shelter until it closed and have now found a temporary rental. LCC LERT volunteers helped this family remove wet items, flooring, and walls. LCC also provided financial assistance to help them pay for their temporary housing and care for their children. This family has lost almost everything. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mahlah (Our Savior – Milford, Illinois) and Bethany (Trinity – Danville, Illinois) and their handlers visited them and others in the Red Cross shelter to bring comfort during this unsettling time. Please join LCC in being the Hands and Feet of Jesus and consider donating generously to help them get back on their feet.