August 22, 2024

In July of 2013, WBTV news reported that a road had washed out in Lincoln County, stranding 20 families. After a couple of temporary repairs, a local contractor helped the residents restore the road to the way it had been.

That very same road washed out again on January 9, 2024, during a storm that unleashed tornados across the Carolinas, including one in nearby Catawba County, and brought heavy rains throughout the area. This time, more than 25 families were stranded.

The county and the NC Forest Service again built a very temporary road but were not allowed to leave it in place for long because it did not meet the requirements for that type of bridge. A footbridge was installed by Lincoln County Emergency Manager Mark Howell and a crew from the Forest Service. The temporary bridge for cars was removed. Residents had to park on one side of Reed Creek and walk across the bridge, using cars or four-wheelers on the other side to travel the rest of the way home.

LDR (Lutheran Disaster Response) Carolinas Disaster Coordinators Ray and Ruth Ann Sipe remember hearing about the bridge washing out on the news in 2013 and the angst that went into finding a solution. Eleven years later, these residents were facing the same disaster.

Photo credit/both photos: Mark Howell and Mennonite Disaster Services

This Bridge? It's Christmas.

Twenty-nine families in Iron Station, North Carolina, are sleeping better at night. 

We Can Go Home Now

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) dedicates its first bridge in North Carolina.

MDS Iron Station, NC, Bridge Build

MDS volunteers build a bridge in Iron Station, NC—tthe 100th bridge MDS has built since 2015.

Your gift to LDR will pay it forward for another disaster response need across the U.S. Give a gift today!

These NC congregations have already volunteered to be collection points for the kits. When you are ready to drop off your assembled kits, contact one of these congregations to arrange an appropriate drop-off time.

Amazing Grace, Waxhaw

Coble’s, Julian

Epiphany, Winston-Salem

Lutheran Chapel, China Grove

Mt. Hebron, Hildebran

St. Luke, Mt. Ulla

Trinity, Vale

More collection points are still needed in the mountains and the eastern part of the state. If you can help, email Ruth Ann.

Volunteers from First, Greensboro, salvaged items from a flooded Greensboro home. Photo credit: Sherrie Harmon

Crisis Cleanup

Crisis Cleanup has been activated across the Carolinas. If you need assistance with tarping, or tree and debris removal, visit www.CrisisCleanup.org. 

Volunteers are needed both to help onsite and with intake (which you can do on your computer at home).  If you want to help, please contact either Ray or Ruth Ann Sipe for more information.

As coordinators for LDR Carolinas—serving both the NC and SC Synods—we focus on helping congregations prepare for disasters and building a network of resources including individuals and congregations who are prepared to respond to help others when a disaster occurs.

Give to LDR Carolinas! An LDR grant began this work; you can help it continue. Send a check to LDR Carolinas, 1988 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury NC 28144

Give to the Disaster Fund of the NC Synod to support disaster recovery in this synod and other synods across the ELCA experiencing the need for support.

Give to Lutheran Disaster Response to support projects like this bridge or directly following a national or global disaster.