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Roseau Slowly Recovering Following Devastating Floods
ROSEAU, MN (October 12, 2002) - Members of two Evangelical Covenant churches
in
rural Roseau, with help from other congregations in the Northwest
Conference, are working hard to help their neighbors in the aftermath of
flooding that caused extensive damage in this small northwestern
Minnesota
community.
Joe Elick, pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) of Roseau,
said
Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties are still in need of help after
floods drenched the region in early June. Thankfully, Elick's church and
nearby Bethel Mission Covenant Church escaped major damage. Elick and
pastor William Fisher of the Bethel congregation expressed appreciation
for
the $29,000 raised by the Northwest Conference to help them out.
"We've had some help through the Northwest Conference churches to help
some
individuals meet some financial needs," said Elick. "Not everything's
recovered - it's going to take a while. But I think our congregation is
doing quite well. There's a good spirit among our people and they're
getting their houses back together."
Eleven inches of rain over three days shut down numerous businesses in
the
downtown area of Roseau, a community of 2,755 people. It also inflicted
heavy damage to a local Lutheran church, which may need to be
demolished.
The floods made an impact in other ways as well, including a delay in
the
harvesting of crops because trucks and farm machinery have become stuck
in
the fields. In Roseau, a coalition of area religious leaders is being
formed to help meet the need for services. The group hopes to raise more
than $1 million. Other positive developments are occurring as well.
Polaris Industries, based in Roseau, announced plans for a $7 million
expansion of its facility. The town made special efforts in June to keep
flooding away from the Polaris manufacturing facility - many townspeople
work for the world-renowned snowmobile manufacturing company.
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura last month signed into law some $32.4
million
in flood relief for Roseau and other communities. Federal funds are also
promised. Federal agencies have already assisted the town as the U.S.
Army
Corps of Engineers, St. Paul
District, sent more than 25 people to provide technical assistance
shortly
after the flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
which
helps communities in crisis, is organizing a large trailer park to help
Roseau families needing winter housing. The emergency housing has been
vital because dozens have lost their homes and businesses, including
some
with Covenant connections.
The Elick family had basement flooding in their home and lost heat for a
time, but they have been able to remain in their home with FEMA
assistance
helping with repairs. They are more fortunate than some. Youth pastor
Bruce
Helgeson, his wife, Lorraine, and four children stayed in a FEMA travel
trailer home for the summer after flooding ruined their home. They
recently
moved into a home in Roseau that is being provided for them by a local
Baptist church family. A single mother and four children from the Roseau
congregation and a Bethel Mission Covenant family also lost their homes
and
most of their belongings. Both families now live in full-size mobile
homes.
Helgeson's brother, Jon, and a cousin, Peter Helgeson, own the town's
funeral home - that building has been torn down after the building was
contaminated by the floodwater. They will rebuild.
Elick said there is still much cleanup work to do and many families
still
need permanent housing, especially since temperatures have dipped into
the
low 20s. "And if there was any flooding before next spring, we would be
under water," Elick added.
Fisher is encouraged by the strong support given by local residents to
those in need. "Besides people losing homes, many had major flooding in
basements and people are still emotionally set back, too. But the
strongest
thing they have going for them is the Lord himself and the coming
alongside
by other Christian brothers and sisters. I think there
is a spiritual deepening that has resulted."
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