Heavy rains struck the area south of Buffalo, New York, the weekend of August 7, 2009. The rain, coupled with the already saturated ground, caused heavy flooding in portions of Western New York.
The small towns of Gowanda and Silver Creek, located along the Cattaurgus Creek, near the Cattaraugus-Erie County line, were inundated with three to four feet of driven water that caused extensive property and structural damage. At least two deaths were attributed to the floods.
New York Governor David A. Paterson declared the region a disaster area. A Presidential Disaster Declaration for Western New York areas impacted by the flooding was approved September 1, 2009. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Areas most impacted
Thirty percent of homes in the Gowanda community of 3,100 people suffered damage from the flood. The First Presbyterian Church of Gowanda sustained damage in the church basement (18 inches of water) that took out heating, air-conditioning, stoves, etc. This flood will be a tremendous blow to the church's viability and mission to the community, which includes housing the local Head Start program.
The community of Silver Creek received extensive damage with water in some areas as high as eight feet. The flooding caused the loss of an entire trailer home park of 35 trailers. There were also 50 other homes condemned and 100 other homes with considerable damage.
The Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, which did not sustain significant damage, has been providing a significant ministry of feeding anyone an evening meal who comes between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with the Presbytery of Western New York in this response. One Great Hour of Sharing funds and two members of the National Response Team (NRT), Steve Melton and Don Hampton, went to the area to support the presbytery in assessing the impact of the recent flooding, provide assistance in connecting to other resources and support the Presbytery in their recovery efforts.
What you can do
You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long term and unmet needs, and spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000015–U.S. Disaster Response.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. Stay informed and share information on the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA-RIN email notices to alert you of additional needs.
PRAY. Please continue in prayer for all who have been impacted by these floods, including congregations, families and those offering assistance. |
