Heavy rainfall caused rapid snow melt that has resulted in major flooding across at least four states. So far, three people have died and hundreds of homes and business have been impacted. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders remain in place. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 200 miles of levees have been compromised in four states and historic flood levels have been recorded at 42 locations across six states. Though water is receding, in many areas, more rain is anticipated along with warmer weather that may increase water levels from snow and ice melt
Lutheran Disaster Response, through congregations, synods and our affiliates across Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri is responding to this disaster. The road to recovery will be long, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster.
Emanuel Lutheran, Council Bluffs
- 15 flood buckets to Missouri Valley
- 10 to Sidney area
Our Saviors in Council Bluffs
- 1 to South Omaha
- 5 to Pacific Junction through St John’s in Mineola,
- 19 delivered to the Council Bluffs Police Department
Hope Lutheran in Sioux Center
- 24 flood buckets to Trinity Lutheran in Moville, who
shared them with families in need in Moville,
Kingsley, and Hornick
Immanuel in Forest City
- 10 flood buckets to Algona for surrounding areas
Each bucket contained the following items:
- Two - 1 quart bottles bleach
- 5 scouring pads
- 7 sponges
- 1 scrub brush
- 18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
- Liquid laundry detergent (2 - 25 oz bottles or 1 - 50 oz bottle)
- 1 household cleaner (12-28 oz bottle)
- Disinfectant dish soap (16-28 oz bottle)
- 50 clothes pins
- Clothes line (2 - 50 ft or 1 - 100 ft)
- 5 dust masks
- 2 pair latex gloves
- 1 pair work gloves
- 24 bag roll of heavy duty trash bags (35-45 gallon)
- 1 insect repellent spray (6-14 oz can)
- 1 air freshener (8 or 9 oz can)
Operation Haylift
The Western Iowa Synod in partnership with Lutheran Disaster in Iowa has a history of response to disaster wherever it might strike in the state. In 2011 there was extensive flooding along the Missouri River. This was also a time of unprecedented drought in Texas which gave way to the Haylift project.
