Tornadoes Rip Through Central Florida

Tuesday, February 6, A.D. 2007

The deadly storms that ripped through central Florida this past Friday have claimed the lives of at least 20 people, damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 homes and left at least 20,000 people without electricity. A federal disaster declaration has been issued for Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties. Friday’s tornadoes came on the heels of the Christmas Day tornadoes and are the second deadliest in Florida's history and the worst since 1998, when tornadoes struck the Orlando area and killed 42 people.

Week of Compassion is in contact with Disciples congregations in the area. First Christian Church in Deland reports it has families affected and is still securing information for an appropriate WOC response. Church World Service is sending blankets, health kits, baby kits and clean-up kits. CWS has just issued an emergency appeal to its member communions to support the recovery work of V.I.N.D. (Volusia Interfaith Networking in Disaster) and LASER (Lake and Sumter Emergency Recovery), the distribution of material resources, and CWS disaster staff on the ground. WOC is providing an initial grant of $3000 toward the appeal on behalf of the Disciples, as well as a direct grant of $6000 to V.I.N.D. in response to a request from Dave Troxler, pastor of First Christian Church, Daytona Beach, and president of V.I.N.D. WOC just received this email from Dave:

“Just when we were strategizing to help those from Christmas Day tornadoes we are slammed again! I just learned that FEMA has approved and the President signed the declaration of disaster. We are already gearing up to operate the V.I.N.D office as I had communicated to you before. Now the picture is bigger. I feel confident we will get the funds to staff the office with case managers and a project coordinator. What we will be looking for is direct client service dollars. I will let you know what we will need. Please thank all those who care and support Week of Compassion. You have made a difference in helping people get their lives back together.” Yours in Christ, Dave Troxler

Flooding Leaves Thousands Homeless

WOC is also monitoring the flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia, that has left more than 200,000 people homeless after days of torrential rainfall. CWS Indonesia is coordinating its response with its two local partners in the Action by Churches Together (ACT) network to provide drinking water, tents, blankets and first aid kits. WOC is anticipating an appeal from CWS/ACT and will respond accordingly.

Map for Congregations

Please check the website (www.weekofcompassion.org) at the end of the week for a comprehensive listing of this week's responses and all those made to date in 2007.