Heavy Flood Damage in Presbyteries
At least 10 of 16 Presbyteries Sustain Significant Damage

After Monday morning conversations with most of the presbyteries in the Synod of the Trinity, it has become apparent that communities within the bounds of at least 10 of our 16 presbyteries sustained significant damage from this weekend’s flooding. While accurate assessments will not be available for a week or more, preliminary indications are that throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Eastern Ohio many persons have been displaced from their homes, a large number of homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged. The need for immediate assistance is great, and the recovery and re-building will probably take many months. We can expect the number of presbyteries in whose bounds significant damage occurred to increase.

Click here for additional photos of flood damage.

What is the Synod doing?
	The Synod is now providing $2,000 immediate grants to presbyteries at the request of the Presbytery Executives or General Presbyters to assist with immediate need.
	The Synod Transition Task Force authorized an initial amount of $120,000 to be made available to presbyteries for Recovery/Reconstruction grants.
	All Synod financial assistance will be made through the presbyteries.
	Most grants will be provided for Recovery/Reconstruction/Assistance projects and programs that:
	Are cooperative with other community and ecumenical organizations Focus on addressing people’s need for assistance Click here for a Synod Flood Assistance Application
What can you do?
	Watch your presbytery websites for news of need for funds and volunteers. Watch the Synod website for news about Synod-wide efforts to help.
	Financial contributions can be made at any time through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
	We would appreciate pictures (jpg format) of flood damage in your area -- we won’t be able to print them all, but it will help folks across the Synod appreciate what’s going on.

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