WHEELING, W.Va. — Complete recovery still appears to be a long ways away for the people in Ohio and Marion counties.
That’s according to United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley Executive Director Staci Stephen who came on MetroNews Midday Monday to give an update on those recovery efforts there following the devastating flash flood that hit the area on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15.
Stephen said the supplies people need are tending to fluctuate with each passing day.
“I feel like the needs change day to day, so we’re trying to keep in touch with everyone and get the word out of what we do need at this time,” Stephen said.
Stephen said, currently, with this ongoing and intense heat, some primary needs are coolers, ice, and cooling rags.
She said the mold has also begun to set in, so they are asking for dehumidifiers as well as plastic totes people can put their belongings in.
Additionally, Stephen said residents are in need of hoses, anti-fungal spray, tarps, and shop vacs.
Stephen said they found that each home is in a different phase of clean-up, with some at the very beginning stages in need of help mucking out their homes, while others are now asking for supplies and furniture.
“So, some have been mucked out, some are working on the bleaching and the getting things out, if it’s the first floor, there are still people ripping up dry wall and the flooring,” she said.
Finally, Stephen said more warm meals as well as more volunteers are some major needs at this time.
However, she said they are very grateful for those who do step up and volunteer, and lately, many of them have been the locals of the Wheeling areas, neighbors and local businesses.
Stephen said it’s very heartwarming to see the locals coming together in this time of great need and relief.
“I’ve had, I don’t know how many people contact me about benefits for the flood victims, you know, doing fundraisers,” she said. “You know, it’s a terrible tragedy, but it’s also heartwarming to see how this whole community has wrapped their arms around the flood victims and try to get them the help they need.”
Stephen said, however, that unfortunately, problems with looters still remains a concern.
She said just this morning, a woman called her who had some of her stuff taken, but they are currently calling in additional law enforcement to help mitigate the situation.
Stephen said while this added issue with looters has truly been awful, she knows this isn’t the majority as most people just want to help one another.
“You know, the majority, 99.9-percent are out there helping other people,” Stephen said. “A lot of them have taken time off work or their employers are paying them to come out and help, so thank you to all of the employers who are letting their employees come out and help these people dig out of a horrific situation.”
She said pictures from the flood doesn’t quite do it justice and that it has been catastrophic.
Stephen said in addition to the aforementioned supplies, the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley are also currently accepting monetary donations. She said any little bit helps.