Disaster Response-Update

On September 28, Rev. Trae Fistler, District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC) for the Mid-South District, was asked to join a zoom meeting with LCMS Disaster Response and all the district leaders who oversaw the areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Reports from the mainstream media did not sound bad so there was discussion about sending some funds and volunteers as needed to the Florida-Georgia District. Once the meeting began, we soon found out multiple districts had been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene and the early reports only scratched the surface of the damage. This meeting prompted a synod wide response. Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson assessed the areas impacted to determine how our resources would best be used. After this assessment, Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) from across the country traveled to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee to assist with relief efforts.
At the time of the initial zoom meeting, it was determined that the damage in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina was so catastrophic that our volunteers would not be let into the areas affected for weeks. Our teams do not deploy to an area until rescue and recovery efforts are complete. When volunteers swarm an area before this initial phase is complete, they hinder rescue efforts. LCMS Disaster Response requested help from the Mid-South District to assist the Florida-Georgia District in Valdosta, Georgia until we were needed in our district. Kurt Ludwig, our other DDRC jumped into action to set up a deployment and begin assessing work orders for members of Messiah Lutheran Church Valdosta, GA. For two weeks Messiah Lutheran Church hosted LERT volunteers to assist with tree and debris removal. During our time in Valdosta, GA we completed 14 work orders for members of Messiah Lutheran Church. We were able to clean up 70 trees in that two-week period. It was a joy to “walk together” in the name of Christ with the Florida- Georgia District. Even in the midst of disaster our Lord is with us. Continue to pray for the communities recovering from Hurricanes’ Helene and Milton. Stay tuned to hear about our ongoing efforts in the communities in eastern Tennessee as we assist with grants and relief.