LCC DISASTER RESPONSE IN LOUISIANA THIS WEEK TO HELP RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER HURRICANE IDA

9/14/2021

HURRICANE NICHOLAS HIT GULF COAST EARLY TUESDAY WITH STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL TO HARD-HIT AREA IN RECENT WEEKS

Working with LCMS Disaster Response, Districts & Churches to Help Impacted Individuals and Families with Recovery Efforts

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.

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, Louisiana.

LCC chainsaw L.E.R.T. volunteers Tony Buchberger, Derek Kowalczyk, and Joel Powless arrived on Sunday, September 12, to serve those affected for one week. They have worked on a couple of sites in Slidell and Metairie, Louisiana. They describe extensive home and tree damage everywhere they look.

A second LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team with equipment will deploy the week of September 25th.

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.

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC DR EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND