LCC Helping Clean Up After Historic Flooding in Wisconsin

Disaster Response volunteers and staff from Lutheran Church Charities are continuing cleanup efforts and bringing a comforting presence to residents of Milwaukee, WI, and its suburbs after historic flooding devastated the area earlier in August. In a two-day span over August 9-10, the region received about 10 inches of rain.
 
Rising water prompted hundreds of rescue calls across Milwaukee and adjacent suburbs as four rivers crested at record levels, representing a 1,000-year flood event.
 
In response, LCC affiliate church Brookfield Lutheran is serving as a hub for disaster response, providing meals, phone hotline help, and Spiritual First Aid™ assistance. On Sunday, the church welcomed dozens of community members for a free breakfast and a time of worship, specifically sitting with them and listening to their stories, said Brookfield relief coordinator Mary Stafford-Nunez.

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Helping bring comfort and a beacon of light to the community were LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams Charity, Mary, Samaria, Tobias, and Gethsemane.

“We listened to stories and gave some a soft spot to land that put a smile on so many faces,” Charity’s team wrote on her Facebook page. “So many were affected within our church — some greatly and some in smaller ways. There were so many volunteers attending as well that needed a little pick me up after a long week of work. It was a perfect morning to show how much these special people are loved!”

LCC Disaster Response is also on-site to make assessments and provide first-stage help with mucking, gutting, drying, and mold treatment. LCC is providing Tyvek suits and boots for LERT workers.

 “The first step has been to establish intake for case management files and help people start the recovery process,” said Mark Brueggemann, LCC Crisis/Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern Wisconsin District. “This was the kind of flooding you see with a hurricane. A lot of people don’t have insurance coverage.”
 
Help is also coming from North Carolina. Trinity Lutheran in Tryon, N.C., which dealt with flooding in April, is donating mold remediation cleaner and other items.
 
The list of families needing help grows each day. Please keep the people of southern Wisconsin in your prayers during these difficult days and consider making a gift to help the recovery efforts of LCMS families.

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