Give to Disaster Relief--USA Disasters & Emergencies
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Situation report
Flooding in the Midwest and upper Midwest
June 29, 2011
Heavy rains and storms from this past spring have left numerous communities devastated or impacted by severe flooding as we move into summer. States that have suffered from record or near record flooding include Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri. The city most impacted is Minot, North Dakota, located on the Souris River (also called Mouse River). About 11,000 people - a third of this small town of 36,000 - were evacuated from their homes.
The river in Minot crested two feet lower than expected on Monday, June 27, but that is nearly 13 feet above flood stage. About 4,000 homes experienced flood water levels of 6 feet or more.
Photo courtesy of the Grand Forks Sherrifs Dept.
Flooding of the Missouri River has also created major evacuations. In Pierre, South Dakota, 1,300 families were evacuated over the weekend of June 25. On June 28, six counties in Iowa received Presidential Major Disaster Declarations. Closely watched are nuclear power plants in Nebraska that have been completely surrounded by water.
The Missouri River levels are expected to remain about 6 feet above flood stage in Nebraska and Iowa and as much as 10 feet above flood stage in Missouri for the next several weeks.
PDA response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance(PDA) has been in touch with all affected presbyteries to offer One Great Hour of Sharing funds, the presence of National Response Team (NRT) members to provide spiritual care and to help to assess damages and needs, and whatever additional help PDA can provide.
What you can do
You can help the church in this response and stand in the GAP for those affected by this disaster.
GIVE
The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, clean up provisions, long-term and unmet needs, and spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give to OGHS through a local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending a check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000015 – U.S.A. Disasters and Emergencies.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT
- Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA Rapid Information Network (PDA-RIN) email notices to alert you of additional needs and information about current and urgent disaster responses.
- Clean up buckets will be needed as the waters recede and people return to their homes and begin the muck-out and clean-up process. Download a bulletin insert about the need for cleanup buckets or read more about Gift of the Heart Kits.
- Register your volunteer work team for current opportunities around the United States or to be notified when new volunteer hosting sites open in response to the spring storms. Call 866-732-6121, or register your team’s interest online.
PRAY
Our best response is prayer. 1 Thessalonians implores us pray without ceasing, so your prayers are requested above all else. Please pray for those displaced by the floods, those who lost loved ones, and those who will work to offer spiritual and emotional care or help with recovery efforts when the waters recede.