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CWS appeal: 2008 Spring U.S. storms
A survivor surveys damage from the tornado that struck Racine, Mo.
Photo: FEMA
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The first half of 2008 has seen the most severe tornado outbreak in 23 years, flooding from Texas to Maine and renewed flooding in areas that had barely dried out. Throughout this heavily-active season communities are working to recover from disaster no matter the form it might take.
CWS issues this appeal to cover responses to disasters in four states.
CWS Response
GEORGIA – CWS is coordinating long-term recovery training in communities damaged by tornadoes May 11 and 12. At least 53 homes have been destroyed. Emergency Response Specialists are in contact with state Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster and CWS member denominational partners to assess training and project development opportunities.
MAINE – Aroostook County is very rural, about the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut, with a population of 73,000. Widespread flooding in the county appears to have disproportionally affected a sizeable Acadian population. Poverty levels hover around 15 percent. CWS has provided material resources to Catholic Charities Maine, including 225 CWS Baby Kits, 540 CWS School Kits, 1,081 CWS Hygiene Kits, 341 CWS Cleanup Buckets and 1,200 containers of emergency wipes, all valued at $47,293.
MISSOURI – The state endured the brunt of the damage from a weekend tornadic system that killed 13 in Newton County. Missouri residents hit by flooding in March now have additional recovery work. CWS has been requested to lead trainings to cover responses in Washington, St Francois, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Carter, Oregon and Ripley counties. Most of these counties have high poverty rates. CWS provided 50 CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets to Ellington, Mo. at a value of $2,250.
VIRGINIA – The April 28 tornado that injured 200 people destroyed 500 homes. A subsequent tornado May 8 damaged caused at least $10 million damage in the western part of the state. CWS is in discussions with Virginia faith-based and secular disaster responders about supporting recovery from both storms with training and project development.
As needs continue to take form, CWS may update this appeal later based on training, project development and emergency response grant needs.
Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be made online, sent to your denomination, or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Please designate: 2008 Spring U.S. Storms (#627-D).
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;
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