Church aids in disasters in Brazil, Southern California
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The Church is responding to floods in Brazil and fires in Southern California this week. All missionaries in those areas are safe and no Church buildings had been harmed as of May 11.
Brazil
Unusually heavy rains from the Amazon area over the past two months have swamped the Atlantic coastal area of the northern part of the country, making many highways and roads impassable in what is considered the worst flooding in decades. Ten states have had considerable flooding.
According to a Church Welfare Services report, 40 deaths have been confirmed, none of whom were Church members, and more than 180,000 people are displaced, down from the 800,000 who were displaced last week. The Brazilian government and local governments are working together to deliver food, sanitation supplies and other necessities to those affected. Eight member families in the Teresina Piaui Stake were affected and are being assisted by local leaders.
Church members are also aiding with relief efforts. Members in the Brazil Teresina Stake are distributing food kits, personal hygiene items and mattresses while members in the Itacoatiara District are assisting with relief efforts and assembling hygiene kits.
Southern California
As of May 12, firefighters were showing progress against an area wildfire that has been burning since May 5. The cause of the fire, which has burned 9,000 acres, is believed to be from someone clearing vegetation with a power tool.
According to the Church Welfare report, 80 structures were burned or destroyed, none of which were Church buildings; however, at least one Church-member home was destroyed.
Most of the 50,000 people who evacuated the area had returned to their homes by May 9. About 70 percent of the members in the Santa Barbara 1st Ward were evacuated, as well as eight member households in the Goleta Valley Ward, the Los Olivos Branch and the El Camino Ward. Mandatory evacuations have been downgraded to warnings of possible evacuation. Some 4,500 firefighters have battled the blaze.
