Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to this southeast Ohio disaster through Lutheran Family Services of Central Ohio, the Rev. Nelson Meyer president. The pastors described how their rural communities and members have been affected, including many poor and elderly persons. They spoke of the fury of the storm winds, and ferocity of the flash floods that swept through narrow passes, and the grief and anger being experienced due to the loss of houses and lives. The stench of decaying vegetation filled our nostrils. We saw fields with destroyed crops, piles of debris in front of houses, flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
Cleanup efforts continue, and volunteers are needed.
At a later meeting of a Lutheran strategy team, steps were taken to coordinate equitable distribution of financial grants, and to identify a person to serve as a local coordinator to oversee the relief efforts. Damage assessment continues even now, and some communities are still inaccessible. When a local coordinator is identified and an office established, I will provide a name and telephone number for you to contact so you can help in cleanup and recovery. Meanwhile, your prayers for the survivors of this latest disaster, this hidden disaster, will be supportive and uplifting.