One year after the June floods, recovery continues

 

 

One year after the June 2008 floods devastated in South Central Indiana, the Monroe County Long Term Recovery Committee (MCLTRC) continued its work to help families recover from the disaster.  Read more about those efforts. 

 

On the one-year anniversary of the flood, one family, the Frames, celebrated its own (wedding) anniversary -- its 40th! -- with a move into a new home with the assistance of family, FEMA, and the MCLTRC.

 

In recognition of the flood anniversary, the Herald-Times provided significant coverage of the recovery in its June 7, 2009 edition.  Read Dann Denny's front page article (including an interview with the Frame family), and the H-T editorial that discussed the impact of local volunteers and organizations coming together as part of the MCLTRC to assist flood victims.  

 

As of early June 2009, over 160 cases remain open.  Another 213 have been closed.   Each week, the MCLTRC staff worked with local residents to determine how to best meet their reconstruction, health and emotional needs.  On December 31, 2010, all eligible families had been served!

 

Barry Lessow, Executive Director of United Way of Monroe County commented, “The floods in June and windstorm in September caused considerable damage to residences in Monroe County, impacting thousands of local residents. Families and individuals are still recovering from this disaster, and are being helped by our MCLTRC staff as well as their friends, family and neighbors. This really is an example of how Monroe County can Live United."

 

Lessow continued, "The strength of Monroe County's response has allowed us to help almost 400 families. Recovering from this disaster is a priority for our government, business, faith, and nonprofit sectors. Our MCLTRC staff, led by director Ashley Skooglund, deserves great credit for its work to assist families hurt by the storms.”

The Monroe County Long Term Recovery Committee includes representatives from the American Red Cross, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, City of Bloomington, Congressman Baron Hill’s Office, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Indiana University, Monroe County Commissioners, Monroe County Emergency Management, Monroe County Health Department, Monroe County Planning Department, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, Salvation Army, Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, South Central Community Action Program, St. Paul’s Catholic Center, and United Way of Monroe County.
 

United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people’s lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow.