TORNADOES, FLOODS, AND MUDSLIDES AFFECT FAMILIES ACROSS THE U.S.

Photo: Lura Cayton/CWS

Story: Melina Pavlides/CWS

From April 24 to mid-July, tornadoes, floods, and mudslides wreaked havoc in 19 states and Puerto Rico.

OVERALL IMPACT OF STORMS TO DATE

• More than 20 persons dead
• Some 258 counties affected
• 521 tornadoes reported - 423 since May 20
• More than 13,000 homes affected
• Some 3,050 homes destroyed or severely damaged
  

VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES
Many of those affected are economically disadvantaged with little or no resources for recovery. A large number of elderly on fixed incomes are affected. Many families have little or no insurance coverage. Long-term recovery from the losses will be a major challenge for many affected by these disasters.

FOR CWS, A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
Church World Service emergency response to these multiple disasters has been significant, and more help is needed. To date, CWS Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons (DRRLs) have logged more than 200 days responding to recovery needs in 19 states and Puerto Rico, working 101 of those days on the ground in 11 of the affected states and Puerto Rico. Continued emergency response deployments are required in at least eight states — Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia. The most recent serious damage occurred in Pennsylvania, where a storm with high winds damaged at least 50 homes in Campbelltown, and in New Jersey, where severe flooding caused some 750 families to evacuate their homes in Burlington County.

Photo: Lura Cayton/CWS

Many communities have ongoing needs for funds, volunteers, and building materials.

GRANTS AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE
CWS has sent five shipments of CWS Blankets and Kits. The shipments included a total of 428 CWS Blankets, 360 Baby Kits, 280 School Kits, 550 Health Kits, and 1,437 Clean-up Kits. CWS has processed two long-term recovery grants and anticipates many more funding requests.

More assistance is needed to support long-term recovery initiatives throughout the affected states. These disasters occurred in an instant. It will take significant resources and many months for communities to recover. Your support helps the most vulnerable on their path to recovery.

Contributions to support this work may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service. Please designate: Spring 2004 Severe Weather #6272.