Lutheran Disaster Response, several ELCA congregations and ELCA-related
social service providers began recovery efforts after August storms cut
a swathe of destruction through several states. At least 26 people died
across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, North
and South Dakota, Iowa and Pennsylvania.
Torrential rain caused severe flooding in the Southeastern Minnesota and La Crosse Area synods. Many congregations were damaged, and some members lost homes. The basement of Rushford [Minn.] Lutheran Church
was flooded with sewage. Luther Memorial Church, Gays Mills, Wis.,
suffered severe damage, including the collapse of a wall in the
parsonage basement.
Southeastern Minnesota Synod Bishop Harold L. Usgaard said local ELCA clergy were continuing to offer pastoral counseling and assistance to flood victims.
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