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CWS appeal update: U.S. Winter Storms

February 14, 2008

In early January 2008, persistent rains, flooding, and heavy winds including rare winter tornadoes spread a path of damage from Mississippi through Wisconsin. Among the impacted states are Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Illinois: Despite severe damage from two flooding events, Illinois has not received a federal disaster declaration. Flooding from an initial storm in early January damaged hundreds of homes in the towns of Watseka and Pontiac, and a storm later in the month sent residents back into crisis.

"There are people who had just replaced new furnaces in their basements or new sheetrock in their homes after the first flood and now they're ruined again," CWS Emergency Response Specialist (ERS) Lura Cayton said.

Community leaders in Watseka have banded together to provide emergency relief, dividing responsibilities among area churches. David Todd, pastor of First Christian Church in Watseka, says his congregation has given out financial assistance to 305 flooded-out families, while the local church responsible for providing food assistance has handed out more food in one month than it has in three years.

Damage reports are still coming in from Pontiac. In Watseka, at least 500 homes are affected, 300 are severely damaged and as many as 100 have been destroyed. At least five people remain in a shelter that, at its peak, held 60 residents.

Illinois is expected to appeal its denial of federal aid. In the mean time, local and national faith groups are trying to meet the needs of families displaced.

Indiana: Early assessments report as many as 300 destroyed and 1200 affected residences by flooding. State and federal emergency management officials are still conducting preliminary damage assessments. Frigid temperatures are hampering clean-up efforts.

Mississippi: A tornadic storm cut a 100-mile swath of damage across north-central Mississippi, damaging or destroying at least 100 homes. Mississippi's tornado survivors likely will not receive a federal declaration, and federal assistance is not anticipated to all areas suffering damage from this system of storms.

Wisconsin: A rare January tornado destroyed 100 homes in Kenosha County, part of a storm system that sparked reports of at least 35 funnel-cloud touchdowns across the Midwest.

Arkansas: A strong tornado struck Benton and Pope Counties, causing major damage.

Missouri: Initial assessment indicated 25 homes destroyed, 75 with major damage and another 150 with minor damage. Shelters were opened to provide services from those displaced by flooding.

Assessment teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are surveying damage or have completed inspections in the affected states. As such, the faith community will be called upon to provide support to those who have limited abilities to recover independently.

CWS response

First Christian Church in Watseka, Ill. asked for material resources assistance. In response, 400 CWS Blankets, 400 CWS Hygiene Kits and 200 CWS Cleanup Buckets should arrive in the community today. Value of the shipment is $15,721.

Long-term recovery groups are forming in Watseka and Pontiac Ill. Ministerial associations are taking active leadership roles in both groups and, as such, CWS will likely deploy staff to provide training as the community continues to recover.

Emergency Response Specialists Lura Cayton and Heriberto Martinez are in contact with emergency management officials and disaster response personnel from the faith community in all affected states. As decisions about federal assistance are made, CWS will closely monitor those communities that do not receive federal assistance such as Caledonia, Miss.

Contributions to support these efforts may be sent to your denomination or directly to: Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515

Contributions may also be made by credit card online, or by calling: 800-297-1516, ext. 222.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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