Getting Rid of the Mud and the Muck
A Marysville Youth Group Helps Woman Clean Up After Flood
Release Date: January 22, 2007
Release Number: 1671-033
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
LACEY, Wash. -- They look like your average teenagers. You could imagine seeing them at the mall, riding skateboards or hanging out at a movie theater. But these teenagers are different. They are willing to give up an entire Saturday to shovel mud and sand. Not for their parents, money or extra credit. No, these kids are doing it because they want to help.
This past Saturday, they were out helping an 80 year-old Granite Falls woman clean up after the Nov. 2-11 flooding. The river had rushed right up to her front steps and when it receded it left her yard and the base of her house covered in mud, silt and sand.
The woman had insurance and hired a contractor to make the repairs, however the contractor could not make the repairs until the mud was removed from the base of her house. She called FEMA to find out if anyone could help clean up the mess left behind by the river.
While FEMA helps disaster victims find temporary housing, repair their homes, replace personal possessions, and deal with other uninsured losses, the agency typically does not deal with yard clean-up. So, in this case, FEMA turned to their Voluntary Agency partners to find help for the woman. One such partner is the United Methodist Church.
When FEMA called the Marysville United Methodist Church, Youth Coordinator Nita Lucey stepped up to the plate. “We have a very involved group of kids,” Lucey explained. “We went to Mississippi last year, but this was an opportunity to help someone in our own backyard. That is a great feeling – to be able to help someone here.”
They scouted out the project and realized that the problem was mud and sand left after the river overflowed its banks onto the woman’s yard. “It’s basically shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows,” said Lucey.
Over a dozen teenagers caravanned out to the house this past Saturday. After greeting the woman, they went right to work. By early afternoon, the house was clear and the kids started in on the yard... just an added bonus, because these teenagers care.
Washington residents or businesses that had losses or damages from the Nov. 2-11 flooding can register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired, or registering on line at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with State and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 24-Jan-2007 16:39:28