Debris left behind by the flooding. Photo: Rob Moreland, PDA National Response Team member.

Rain began making its way south following storms in West Central Kansas the first of July.  By the time the July 4 holiday was being celebrated by many in Kansas, others were finding themselves surrounded by rising waters, dams were opened and creeks became raging rivers.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) responded by sending two teams of workers to Southern Kansas to bring two presbyteries familiar with disaster together in a coordinated response.  Southern Kansas presbytery was still dealing with the tornadoes that had destroyed Greensburg, Kansas. John Calvin Presbytery, that has recently experienced flooding and tornadoes, found itself activating its response team to deal with waters climbing in the Neosho and Marmaton rivers. Similarly, in Osawatomie, the Marais des Cygnes and Pottawatomie Rivers crested, forcing nearly 2,000 persons to flee from their homes. In nearby cities of Miami and Coffeyville, Oklahoma, the flooding of creeks and rivers brought devastation.

PDA One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds have been provided to all four presbyteries that are in Kansas. John Calvin Presbytery and Southern Kansas Presbytery each have a Disaster Committee and are exploring ways to combine efforts as their boundaries, communities affected, etc., are common. In Osawatomie (Heartland Presbytery), the ministerial association is taking the lead and the church has already formed a committee to collect items and liaison with community groups.

In addition to funds, PDA has sent National Response Team members to the affected areas. Don Hampton, Tom Jackson, Rob Moreland and Paul Reiter have visited some of the flooded areas to serve as resources, to provide assistance as needed to presbyteries and congregations active in the relief and recovery efforts and to represent the care and concern of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).