Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas with devastating force. The storm left more than 70,000 people homeless and nearly 50 people reported dead. The number is expected to grow as search and rescue efforts continue. Pastor Cliff Lewis conducted a rapid assessment and reported that Our Saviours Lutheran Church members were mostly unharmed, though the loss of family members was reported.

The storm continued on to strike the North Carolina coast, bringing high winds, dangerous storm surge and tornadoes. Three people have been reported dead and thousands of homes damaged or destroyed.

Hurricane Dorian moved on to Canada before dissipating on September 10th. Affiliates, synods and congregations in Georgia, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported that they came through Hurricane Dorian relatively unscathed.

Lutheran Disaster Response, in partnership with the Florida-Bahamas Synod, North Carolina Synod, Lutheran Services Carolinas and other partners, is responding to this disaster.

In the Bahamas, Lutheran Disaster Response has committed an initial $15,000 for water, food and non-food items. Staff will travel to do further assessment of needs on the Islands.

In North Carolina, Lutheran Services Carolinas, and the North Carolina Synod are recruiting volunteers to help with debris removal and other tasks. LDR Georgia affiliate, Inspiritus has deployed a team to assist.

We are ready to respond and stand by our neighbors as they recover from this hurricane and any others the 2019 season may bring.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Please pray for the communities that have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. May God’s healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need.  You can find additional resources for worship here.

Give

We invite you to stand by all the communities impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Your gifts to Hurricane Relief ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those affected by this disaster for years to come.

Connect

To learn more and stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters:

• Help spread the word in your congregation by sharing this bulletin insert.

• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

• Visit our website at LDR.org.

• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.

• Click here for information on volunteer opportunities.

• To download a PDF version of this situation report, click here.