LCC LERT Volunteers Help Residents in Watseka, Illinois, Recover from Tornadoes, Storms, and High Winds

Lutheran Church Charities was invited to respond to a disaster early in the morning of Thursday, May 23, by Calvary Lutheran Church Congregational President, Denney Smith in Watseka, Illinois. This was after 90 mph straight line winds went through the town.

LCC LERT Teams Respond to 90 mph Straight Line Wind Storm in Watseka, Illinois

view video of LCC LERT Teams in Watseka

Within 24 hours, Lutheran Church Charities had boots on the ground early Friday, May 24, with staff and volunteers to begin damage assessments to provide chainsaw and heavy equipment assistance over Memorial Day weekend.

On Saturday, May 25, 40 Northern Illinois District (NID) and 8 Central Illinois District (CID) LERT team members worked together to clear trees and debris from 19 homes. On Sunday, May 26, 11 NID LERT team members, along with Denney Smith from Calvary, completed boom lift and chainsaw work that was begun on Saturday.

Teams present came from the Northern and Central Illinois Districts:
 
Calvary Lutheran – Watseka
Immanuel – Palatine
Immanuel – Shebonier
Lord of Life – Elburn
Prince of Peace – Palatine
Shepherd of the Hills – McHenry
St. John – Wheaton
St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods
St. Peter – Schaumburg
St. Peter’s – North Plato
Trinity – Bloomington
Trinity – Lisle
Trinity – Pekin
Trinity – Roanoke

Our team members were welcomed by the congregation and community who were very grateful for our willingness to travel and offer this assistance, especially over a holiday weekend.

Calvary Lutheran had several trees badly damaged around their property. Several LERT team members worked there all day to remove trees that were straddling the church and their neighbor’s property in a very twisted mess.

Helping a Widow with Extensive Damage to Large Farm

One of the homeowners we helped this weekend was Donna. She was a widow with a home on a large farm. The wind destroyed two barns, scattered debris all over her property, peeled back a metal roof on another barn, uprooted several trees and damaged others, pieces of debris went through the walls of her home, siding damage, and left her without power for three days. LCC staff members Kathy O'Day and Jamie Miller met her the day after the storm while assessing homes. She felt overwhelmed and was clearly distraught. She was assured that LERT team members would come to her home the next day to begin debris removal and chainsaw work.

As she watched the teams work on her property, she was so happy and in awe of everything that was done in two days with LERT volunteers. All received hugs and many thanks for helping restore her home, giving her hope as she continues to wait for insurance for other work to be done.

Cleanup After Devastating Storm
Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response

(Saturday, May 25, 2019 – WCIA / Miranda Meister)

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LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah’s Groomer Happy to Receive Help

Another homeowner we assisted with removing three damaged trees is the groomer for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah (Our Savior – Milford, Illinois). She was thrilled to see Lutheran Church Charities at her home since she is so familiar with our ministry. When Kathy O'Day arrived at her home to assess damage she said, “I never thought I would need your help, but I’m so glad you are here.”

LCC never charges those we serve and will never profit from our service as Christians. We have established a fund to help offset equipment and operating expenses for our volunteers and purchase equipment as needed.
 
Please consider a donation to the Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that our LERT disaster response teams may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Donate - DR Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund

Donate - Disaster Response Fund