LDR/LSF Assists Local Recovery

Efforts on Mar. 7 Tornadoes

1 April 2008 - TW

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), as the point agency for Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) in Florida, has become a partner with the Suwannee Valley Long Term Recovery Committee based in Lake City, FL to respond to those people affected by the tornadoes that hit northern Florida on Mar. 7. (Click here to read LSF's Mar. 14 article on the storms.) 

Up to 12 tornadoes had affected areas of northern Florida and southeast Georgia, damaging and destroying homes and leaving large areas without power for extended periods.  Areas around Tallahassee and Lake City were particularly hard hit.

A letter from the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management posted one week after the March tornadoes reported that the storms had caused one death and $3 million in property damage.  The letter also specified the Suwannee Valley Committee as coordinating the long term recovery effort in northern Florida.

"The Suwannee Valley Long Term Recovery Committee convened after the 2004 hurricanes to assist in recovery and brings together many local agencies to match needs with resources," said the state letter in part. "The United Way acts as the lead agency for the Long Term Recovery Committee."

LSF has donated $5,000 to the Suwannee Valley Committee for the recovery effort in addition to staying in touch with them for other needs, according to Danielle Kearney, Director of Church and Community Relations for LSF and head of Lutheran Disaster Response-Team Florida.

"Volunteers organized through LDR-Team Florida are not yet needed, but might be at a later date," reported Ms. Kearney.  "No other assistance is required presently."

To read the full letter from the State of Division of Florida Emergency Management outlining the recovery response in northern Florida, click here.

Click on one the following links to donate to Lutheran Services Florida or Lutheran Disaster Response to assist with recovery efforts.

 L  U  T  H  E  R  A  N         S  E  R  V  I  C  E  S          F  L  O  R  I  D  A