SWT Synod Disaster Preparedness and Response
From Devastation to Hope:
Reflections from the
Placedo Tornado Response
On May 1st, while attending the Synod Assembly at Triumph Love Lutheran Church in Austin, severe weather was impacting communities across Texas. As heavy rain fell outside during the assembly, reports of tornado activity slowly began making their way across the room. Among the hardest hit areas was Victoria County, where a powerful F1 tornado had caused major damage in the small community of Placedo. Click to continue reading.
Rising Together:
Finding Hope and Help After the Floods
As the floodwaters finally recede across South Texas and the Hill Country, the full scale of the devastation is now in view. Standing in front of waterlogged homes and debris-filled yards, it is completely natural to look around and ask: Why me? Why us? Or, why again? Click to continue reading.
Disaster Response Resources
Who to contact:
Texas Division of Emergency Management
For your county, search for “your county name emergency management”
Resources:
Way to assist:
Make a Donation to the SWT Disaster Fund
Make a Donation to ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response
Synod work days (will be organized and promoted through eNews as needed)
Spiritual/emotional support through on-site prayer, with comfort bags, etc.
We understand you want to help, but there are common ways like sending clothes or stuffed animals that are less helpful.
How well is my congregation prepared for a disaster?
- Where are our legal documents and church records kept?
- Who knows where/how to turn off water/power to the building?
- What is the contact information for our insurance?
Your gift to the Southwestern Texas Synod Disaster Fund does more than help with any one disaster. It fuels our capacity to be prepared and ready to respond whenever disasters strike.
