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CWS/ERP Situation Report: Fall 2006 Tornadoes/Floods

November 17, 2006

At least 12 people have died this week from devastating storms and tornados that hit southern and Mid-Atlantic states. Of that total, eight people were killed in a tornado in Riegelwood, N. C., while four people, including three children, remain in critical condition.

Forty-nine homes were destroyed in Riegelwood, reports Church World Service Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison (DRRL) Charles Moeller, who also notes that North Carolina Emergency Management is conducting a property assessment today.

The storms -- now headed to Canada after affecting the Mid-Atlantic and New England states -- brought down trees and power lines and have caused flooding.

Meanwhile, CWS DRRL Lesli Remaly-Netter, focusing on Mississippi, reports that officials there are assessing damage in Madison, Greene, Walthall and Lamar counties, as well as scattered rural communities. More than 40 homes were damaged or destroyed in Mississippi.

Also affected were several areas in Alabama where two tornadoes that heavily damaged east Montgomery and the Pintlala community.

RESPONSE: DRRL Charlie Moeller is in touch with North Carolina Interfaith Disaster Network partners, as well as the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) network to assess not only the damage, but also emerging needs requiring support from outside agencies.

North Carolina Emergency Management has requested that VOAD respond and VOAD is planning a meeting for Monday, Nov. 20.

Moeller reports that he has received a request from a Columbus County Episcopal priest that CWS assist with long-term recovery efforts. The Rev. Nan Chandler, All Saints Episcopal Church, has been in contact with several local ministers. Moeller has also been in contact with Mike Patterson, chair of North Carolina Interfaith, a well-known long-term recovery group, about the organization of a long term recovery/unmet need committee in Columbus County.

Also responding in North Carolina is DRRL Tim Johnson, who is meeting with North Carolina state emergency management officials for further information relative to needs. As well, Johnson is establishing contact with CWS constituent member representatives in Alabama for their assessments and emerging needs.

As noted, DRRL Remaly-Netter is in Mississippi today, in contact with officials in affected communities there.

CWS expects to respond to these latest disasters through the 2006 Fall Disaster Response Appeal, issued Nov. 13. The amount of the appeal will be expanded to include these current storm responses, upon assessment of the needs to be addressed and the DRRL deployments to be made.

That appeal focuses on relief and recovery efforts in flooded parts of Washington state including Native American tribal lands, as well as rains and floods in southeast Texas; flooding in western New York; and an earthquake affecting parts of Hawaii. Through that appeal, CWS is seeking funds to help meet unmet needs and support long-term recovery organizing and grants in the affected states.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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