Hurricane Gustav makes landfall in Louisiana; Gulf Coast dioceses offer updates, resources
Episcopal News Service. September 1, 2008 [090108-01]
Episcopal dioceses along the Gulf Coast region are offering news, updates and resources for disaster response as the category two Hurricane Gustav made landfall September 1 near Cocodrie, Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans.
The Diocese of Louisiana and its Office of Disaster Response have put into action an Emergency Readiness Plan, "designed to position our people and resources in such a way as to most effectively respond to a crisis, as well as to insure the safety of our staff and the people we serve."
The diocesan staff has taken refuge in Baton Rouge and updates are being posted online here. A September 1 report from Louisiana Bishop Charles Jenkins is available here.
Details about the Diocese of Western Louisiana's hurricane relief, including housing needs, is available here.
In the Diocese of Mississippi, information on lodging for evacuees or other disaster relief is available from Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi (LESM) by calling 601-352-7125. For other disaster-related assistance, contact Carol Stewart at 601-940-2372.
Emergency Response details for the Diocese of Texas are available here.
Episcopal Relief & Development is standing by to provide emergency relief to communities devastated by Hurricane Gustav. To help people affected by Hurricane Gustav, make a donation to ERD's "Emergency Relief Fund" online here, or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development "Emergency Relief Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.