|
Coleharbor Storm
On Wednesday, July 12, 2006, Coleharbor, ND was hit with a
summer storm that was bound and determined to leave its imprint on the small
rural community. Straight-line winds of up to 96 mph ripped through the area,
leaving virtually no building untouched in some way.
Damages left by the storm vary greatly from place to
place. Some suffered roof damage while others have caved in walls or a tree
that has fallen on the structure. Still others are uninhabitable, such as the
town’s only restaurant, a trailer home that was pulled from its foundation, and
even a motor home that was ripped open like an aluminum can.
The storm has left many families devastated and several
homeless, but not without family, friends, and neighbors. This rural North
Dakota community has pulled together with the surrounding area support each
other in a time of need.
The ND VOAD and the State Unmet Needs Committee held two
meetings in Coleharbor on Wednesday, July 19. The first meeting consisted of
city officials and pastors, and focused on looking at the potential unmet needs
and what the role of the State Unmet Needs Committee may be.
Lutheran Disaster Response will be contacting
denominational partners to raise funds for the Coleharbor disaster. There is
also a local fund set up by the Underwood Ministerial Association. The
“Coleharbor Disaster Fund” will be able receive donations at First Security Bank
in Underwood, ND.
Lutheran Disaster Response – Lutheran Social Services North
Dakota will also act as the fiscal agent for allocating the funds raised. The
Underwood Ministerial Association will act as the Local Unmet Needs Committee
and assist in the distribution of the funds they have raised locally. The Red
Cross will be handling the case management for both funds.
The funds that are raised by both LDR – LSS and the local
committee are being distributed based on criteria set so that the neediest are
served. Contact has also been made with a local Lutheran pastor from Underwood
who has set up the bank account and located volunteers to help move possessions
from a destroyed home.
A lot has been done in Coleharbor after the storm, but
there is a lot that remains to be done. Recovery is on its way, however, there
is no doubt in anyone’s mind that something like this changes a community
forever.
|
