The American Red Cross (ARC) continues supporting rescue operations in Colorado by providing food, shelter, relief supplies, and comfort to thousands of people, forced from their homes by devastating flash flooding. Fourteen counties are affected. The view below is outside Jamestown, CO, on September 18, 2013.
On Wednesday, October 9, Cynthia Waters of Morrison, IL, heads to Colorado to assume a position of Client Casework Manager. She will be deployed for approximately three weeks. She stated sometimes volunteers are asked to extend their service.
Her husband, Leland, retired from the railroad after years of travel. He is content to stay home now, while his wife accepts assignments across the United States.
Waters has “done 15 deployments” since she joined the ARC in 2000, averaging more than one per year. She is “on call quite often.” It is her responsibility to put people in hotels, if homes are lost during a fire or other disaster, and arrange for immediate needs and a few meals. She cites two “disasterous” fires on Round Grove Road east of Morrison.
As a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), Waters has comforted people in a time of need and loss. That was excruciatingly painful for this manager-of-disasters, when she was assigned to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. On Friday, December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza had gunned down 20 children and six adult females.
“The Red Cross gave funds to help talk with people and get incidentals.” Waters was positioned as the last of several information intake tables, so by the time the grieving families reached her, most had be assisted. “You get a sense [after many disaster deployments] of what might help people.” This case made it difficult to offer comfort to children and adults who could not comprehend such evil.
“There were nights, and nights, and nights of counseling, with two psychologists per child and [various religious personnel].” The FBI, was there, as well as State, County, and City staff.
Only one other Morrison resident is a member of the area DAT; most members are from Sterling, IL. Waters would be gratified to have more Morrisonians train to help in such emergencies.
Since flooding began, the Midwest River Region of the American Red Cross has deployed a total of 11 volunteers to Colorado; Cynthia is the 12th.
According to Geologist Jonathan Godt, “The September floods started with a wall of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico that got trapped up against the mountains, dumping almost a year’s worth of rain in four days. As the overflow coursed through mountain ravines and canyons, it was like running a fire hydrant through a garden hose.”
Government officials estimate as many as 18,000 homes are affected by the Colorado flooding. Access to some communities remains difficult, due to flood waters and damaged roads. As these areas begin to re-open, the Red Cross will be there to assess the damage, distribute relief supplies, and support a recovery effort that will take weeks and months.
Flooding has also caused numerous evacuations in New Mexico and Texas. Red Cross workers also are helping people there, providing shelter, meals, and comfort. More than 50 people spent Sunday night, October 6, in four shelters in New Mexico and Texas. The region continues to be a relief priority for the Red Cross. More rain is expected in the area from tropical storm systems over the next few days.
How to help: People across the flooded areas need help now. The Red Cross has launched a massive relief effort for people in Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The organization needs the continued support of the public to help those affected. People can make a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-733-2767, or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, Lincoln Land Branch, 112 W. 2nd Street, Rock Falls, IL 61071.