CWS appeal update: 2008 U.S. Winter storms
April 16, 2008
Survivors of flooding early in the year are watching freshly-repaired homes succumb to water yet again. In the past two weeks, severe weather has brought tornadoes and flooding to states still recovering from an active winter and early spring storm season. Damage is most severe in:
-Oklahoma, where at least 200 homes damaged by straight-line winds in
Muldrow. Some parts of the state endured 4 inches of rain from the
storm. Gov. Brad Henry declared states of emergency in 38 counties.
- Texas. The Associated press reports Roughly 100 homes reported
damage, mainly in Breckenridge, De Soto and Hurst.
-Arkansas, where three-quarters of the state’s counties have been
declared disaster areas since February’s initial tornado outburst. So
much rain has fallen across the state that levees are breaking under the
strain.
Tennessee, Alabama, southern Illinois and Kentucky have also reported
damage from the mix of flooding and tornadoes. Many of these areas have
been federally declared disaster zones following earlier storms.
However, there is concern a lack of a declaration for the most recent
catastrophes (or lack of a government mandate distinguishing the weather
events) will mean those who have already received maximum assistance may
receive no more.
CWS RESPONSE
CWS Emergency Response Specialists Lura Cayton and Bryan Crousore are leading training workshops for long-term recovery organizations that formed following February’s tornado outbreak and have continued to operate even as their communities continue to endure severe weather. Cayton reports Monday’s training in Mountain View, Ark. enjoyed solid participation. A second training for the Tennessee and Kentucky damage area is scheduled for this week in Brentwood, Tenn. CWS expects to conduct more long-term recovery trainings potentially in Arkansas, Tenessee, Oklahoma and Missouri.
CWS Emergency Response Specialists Lura Cayton and Bryan Crousore are leading training workshops for long-term recovery organizations that formed following February’s tornado outbreak and have continued to operate even as their communities continue to endure severe weather. Cayton reports Monday’s training in Mountain View, Ark. enjoyed solid participation. A second training for the Tennessee and Kentucky damage area is scheduled for this week in Brentwood, Tenn. CWS expects to conduct more long-term recovery trainings potentially in Arkansas, Tenessee, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be made on-line, sent to your
denomination, or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN,
46515. Please designate: 2008 U.S. Winter Storms (Appeal #627-A).