Episcopal Relief and Development continues response to flooding in the Midwest

Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to communities devastated by ongoing flooding across the Midwest. So far, the flood waters are responsible for killing 24 people, injuring 148 and displacing tens of thousands of others.

The damage to infrastructure and the agricultural sector is severe. In some areas, entire towns are completely inundated, their past existence confirmed only by a lone church steeple poking above the water line. Hundreds of thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed. The floods have inflicted up to $1.5 billion in damage to Iowa’s agricultural sector alone. This number will increase dramatically as the loss is assessed in other states.

The crisis is far from over. Rising waters have breached 20 levees across the region and officials fear that more flooding will occur as river levels climb in Missouri and Illinois.

Episcopal Relief and Development is responding to the needs of flood victims in the Dioceses of Iowa, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac and Indianapolis. The organization is standing by to provide assistance in Quincy, Missouri and other dioceses as the need arises.

Episcopal Relief and Development is working with its partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, to provide support to people who have been displaced from their homes by floods in the state. Mental health services will also be offered as needed.

In Milwaukee, Episcopal Relief & Development will partner with the Diocese of Milwaukee to assist people in rural counties. In northeastern Wisconsin, the agency is working in Fond du Lac to restock the food pantry at the Cathedral and provide temporary rental assistance to families as they clean up their flooded homes.

Episcopal Relief & Development will work with the Diocese of Indianapolis to provide rental assistance, food and water aid to families in communities that have no potable water.

“We hold in prayer all who are impacted by the flooding, all who are working tirelessly to prevent further flooding, and all who stand together to care for these people and communities as the waters recede,” says Abagail Nelson, ERD’s senior vice president for programs.

ERD has prepared a church bulletin insert concerning the flood crisis and ERD’s work in the affected area.

To make a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s “Midwest Flood Fund” online, click here or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts may be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development, “Midwest Flood Fund,” P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.