Tropical storm has minor impact on Church members
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RICHMOND, Va. — Church members and missionaries in Richmond, Va., were reported to be safe following Tropical Storm Gaston, which on Aug. 30-31 caused at least six deaths in the area and washed away roads, flooded houses and businesses, and prompted the evacuation of more than 1,000 people.
President Bradley R. Anderson of the Richmond Virginia Stake said the impact of the storm, which the Associated Press reported could have caused $15 million in damage to the Richmond city infrastructure, on Church members was minor. The houses of a few member families were flooded and the roof of one Latter-day Saint meetinghouse sustained minor damage and leaked. Characterized by record-setting rain, the storm also devastated a historic Richmond neighborhood that was the heart of the Confederate capital during the Civil War.
As of press time, another major storm, Hurricane Frances, was heading toward the eastern seaboard expected to land between Florida and South Carolina. Garry Flake, director of Church Emergency Response, said Church leaders were ready to provide assistance as necessary. He said bottled water, for example, has been sent to Florida, a state still recovering from damage by Hurricane Charley in early August. With winds of 145 mph, Charley destroyed or heavily damaged more than 30,000 homes and was blamed for 27 deaths.
