As flood waters from Hurricane Ian’s torrential rain and flood surge begin to recede, the stench of swamp mud and rotting vegetation met many families returning to their homes to begin the process of sorting belongings and saving what they can.
In other areas, entire neighborhoods are still essentially cut off by flooded roads. Families spoke of watching fish swim through their living rooms, of children enjoying swimming in their driveways, of concerns for family members without access to medical care, and most of all, of the complete gratefulness they feel seeing so much goodwill directed their way.
“You guys are angels,” said Ray Steele after grabbing lunch boxes and water from a Salvation Army canteen.
Jamie Williams added, “We ate here last night. It was so wonderful. We were SO hungry. I just saw the truck drive by again and thought, ‘Yes! I can eat.’”
Another woman broke down in tears upon receiving a cold drink. “Oh my gosh! It’s……cold.”
“Thank you!” “Thank you for everything!” The cries echoed even from passing cars. “Thank you, Salvation Army, for remembering us.”
To support The Salvation Army’s Hurricane Ian relief efforts, donate at http://helpsalvationarmy.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
