CLENDENIN, W.Va. — The new executive director of the Greater Kanawha Long-Term Recovery Committee says it makes sense to give back to her community because she knows what it’s like to be stuck in a flood.
“It could bring a person to their knees. It could really break you,” said Susan Jack, of Clendenin. She survived the June 2016 flood with her 16 year old daughter.
“My cousin and I had to carry my 90-something year old great aunt through knee-deep flood water that night,” she said. “People were walking around like it was an episode of The Walking Dead or something.”
Jack was named to the job this month. She replaces former director Mike Shinn.
Her top priority is to organize where her volunteers are going to work.
“Get all of these crews coordinated that are volunteering and coming in and to get the work lined up through the case managers, so that I don’t have volunteers here in the area standing and not working,” Jack said.
One of the committee’s biggest needs is a moving truck, Jack said.
“We need a truck and a trailer because there are always instances where we have to go get building materials or we have to move items for home owners,” she explained.
The road to recovery is long way ahead. People have decided to leave the town of Clendenin, like one elderly woman Jack decided to buy a home from.
“I purchased a flood home,” Jack said. “To me, that was gong to be my recovery plan.”
After the flood hit, Jack said she was inspired to help her neighbors.
“The thing that is important are people and your community. The biggest thing that I have learned from this flood is that’s what’s truly important,” she said.
John Ballengee, chairman of the committee, said Jack knows personally about the effects the flood has had on Elk River residents.
“Her energy, focus, and passion in helping those affected by the June 2016 flooding will serve the Elk River area well and we are happy to have her join our recovery team,” Ballengee said in a news release.
The committee provides assistance to individuals, families and business impacted by the flood. It’s membership includes community leaders, non-profit organizations and representatives of state and federal officials.