Red Cross spurs an organized effort to combat flooding
Flash flooding on Messner Road near Wooster caused the evacuation of a number of residents when a rainstorm roared through Wayne County on Sunday, July 21.
Rain is a life-giving source that is an absolute necessity for survival.
However, what Wayne County experienced on Sunday, July 21 was more than just life-sustaining rain. A torrent of rain created some harrowing situations for those living in low-lying areas.
With a mandatory evacuation process in place, families scrambled to find temporary living quarters and more importantly ways to escape a flood that caused major damage, ripping apart the flooring of trailers and washing away anything that wasn’t tethered down.
Major flash flooding on Prairie Lane closed that road while residents on Bauer Road on the east side of Wooster had to be evacuated as flash flooding roared through the trailer park area, tearing off skirting and completely destroying one home’s floor.
From the moment the storm began, the American Red Cross Lake Erie Heartland Chapter in Northeast Ohio took steps to ensure families would not be left out in the rain.
According to Lara Kiefer, director at American Red Cross Lake Erie Heartland Chapter, which serves Wayne, Ashland, Holmes, Lorain, Richland and Erie counties, the success in the hours immediately after the heavy rain was due to compassion and preparation.
“The water came down and came rushing in like a river, according to several people we talked to who were in the midst of it,” Kiefer said. “They said it sounded like a river, and they couldn’t even hear themselves talking. It was that bad. But we were prepared. This is where all of the time we spend planning comes into place for emergencies just like this.”
Kiefer said they work closely with emergency-management directors to lay out a game plan that focuses on rescue and shelter options. That work includes working with area fire departments. The Red Cross is involved with various drills and scenarios that help them better prepare for disasters like the flooding that took place.
They also do homework to better understand where the worst spots are for flooding dangers during peak flooding season.
“When we have to set up shelters for 100 people or we have to set up an evacuation plan, we can do that in a heartbeat,” Kiefer said.
On the evening of July 21 within one hour after the distress call went out, the Red Cross had a makeshift shelter center set up at Grace Church in Wooster, where their large facility, including a shower area, was available for families who were being evacuated and had no family to turn to.
With many people’s automobiles already in water far too deep to drive, there were taxis at their disposal to get them to safety. Kiefer said one family came in with nothing but their evening wear, so the Red Cross connected with Goodwill to find them some clothing that would get them through.
Kiefer said it was all part of a community that understands what it takes to prepare and react when danger comes.
“All of the preparation, all of the communication and all of these different organizations we connect with understand the value of people, and they are compassionate about what they are going through, so we see so many different people and organizations willing to step in and help wherever they can,” Kiefer said. “That is so important, and a lot of times folks don’t see all that goes on behind the scenes, but it is in times like these when we see people springing into action that we can really appreciate everything the community does to take care of its own.”
Kiefer went on to say every day there are people ready to respond to any type of disaster.
Along with the safety concerns come the everyday parts of life: coming up with meal plans for those staying in the shelter and providing simple tools like towels, clothing, toiletries, a place to sleep and more.
“We had one man who came in and was just completely covered in mud, so he needed a place to shower and some dry clothes,” Kiefer said. “Oftentimes it is the simple things in life that are taken for granted that people are most grateful for at times like this. Grace Church has been amazingly gracious in opening their doors to people.”
Added into the mix is the animal population. Red Cross has been working with the Wayne County Humane Society to find housing for animals who were trapped in flooded areas.
Kiefer said one family came in with nine cats, so the Red Cross needed to find temporary homes for them while the storm subsided.
“Despite the tragic disaster, it is comforting and inspiring to know that so many people in our community are there to help when it is needed the most,” Kiefer said. “You often don’t see the kind of incredible support of people opening up their homes, their hearts and their wallets to make sure everyone is taken care of. There are so many working parts of a disaster like this, but we have experienced a huge amount of teamwork to make sure that everything is in place when something like this takes place.”
While the waters began subsiding the following day and people went back to their homes, there was still a great deal of work to do for many. Property and things may have been strewn about and destroyed, but lives were not lost, thanks to the concerted effort of many.