AMID CONTINUED MIDWEST FLOODING, CATHOLIC GROUPS STEP UP TO HELP
Catholic News Agency
03/21/2019
The flooded facility of the Camp Ashland Army National Guard in Ashland, Neb., is seen in this aerial photo March 17, 2019. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and the state's National Guard surveyed flooded farms, homes, bridges and highways, damage Ricketts called "devastating" and perhaps the worst in a half-century. At least three people have been reported killed. (CNS photo/Herschel Talley, Nebraska National Guard)
As devastating flood waters continue to rise in parts of the Midwest, Catholics are working to raise funds for both short-term aid and long-term rebuilding efforts.
“Please join Archbishop [George] Lucas in praying for all those displaced or otherwise affected by the ongoing flooding,” said the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.
A special collection in Omaha this weekend will help fund recovery efforts. Parishes have been asked to evaluate needs in their communities and request funds for both immediate recovery needs and long-term rebuilding.
“Grants may be distributed to purchase water, food, shelter, cleaning supplies, tools, building materials, and tuition assistance for displaced employees,” said archdiocesan spokesman Deacon Tim McNeil said.
He added that funds can go not only to the immediate needs of parishes, but to help with broader community assistance.
Nebraska has been among the hardest-hit states by severe flooding in recent days, although several other Midwestern states have also been affected as a “bomb cyclone” tore through the region last week, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain. The floods that have resulted have washed out roads, destroyed homes, and burst dams, compounding the damage throughout the area.
The majority of counties in Nebraska are currently under a state of emergency, as are nearly half of the counties in Iowa.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said the storm has already caused “the most extensive damage our state has ever experienced.” Repairing damaged infrastructure could take months, and agricultural losses in ranching and growing crops could reach nearly $1 billion.
As residents scramble to evacuate, watching their livelihoods wash away in front of their eyes, their neighbors are doing what they can to offer support.
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska is currently holding a bottled water drive to help students at Peru State College, who have been displaced for several days and are facing contaminated water for the foreseeable future.
The organization is also accepting donations to aid those who are suffering from the flooding.
-