Covenant News

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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