Officials help flood victims at Marble Hill center

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- When Jennifer Hernandez got a friend to drive her to the flood assistance center established at the Marble Hill Baptist Church Family Life Center on Wednesday, she was on the edge of hysterics.

"I was a disaster when I came in. I was bawling," she said.

After talking with FEMA officials about applying for individual assistance and getting help from the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, Hernandez said she felt as though a crushing weight had been lifted.

"My heart feels like it's about to explode," she said.

FEMA officials helped flood victims in Bollinger County figure out the application process while the Salvation Army distributed "flood buckets" filled with supplies to help people with their cleanups. The Salvation Army also arranged for food and gas vouchers and provided clothing, hygiene products and other necessities to those who lost belongings in the flood that ravaged parts of Bollinger County, said Charles Pruitt, Salvation Army advisory board member.

By 2 p.m., 16 people had filtered into the church center to inquire about flood relief.

FEMA officials encouraged people to apply for individual assistance but warned it may not be enough on its own, said Mike Parker, a coordinator for FEMA.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Bernadette Larimer, branch director of individual assistance, worked with flood victim Jennifer Hernandez on Wednesday to help her get assistance.

"I'm not sure anybody is going to get enough to really cover their losses," he said.

The individual assistance from FEMA is designed to provide temporary relief while people get back on their feet, Parker said.

As of Wednesday morning, about 1,000 people in flood-affected parts of Missouri had applied for FEMA assistance and about $1 million in FEMA money had been dispersed to individuals throughout the state, he said.

Several faith-based organizations were also on hand to provide counseling services for those in need of them, said Cheryl Klueppel, director of the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"There's stress in time of disaster," she said.

Hernandez said for her, the flood has been "one disaster after another."

First, she lost her home, and nearly all of her possessions, as 5 feet of water with a strong current flooded her 111 Sample St. apartment.

Her refrigerator and television were floating, she said.

"All you can do is open the door and let it all go and cry," Hernandez said.

The water rose so high, Hernandez said, she and her sister, who lived in the upstairs apartment, had tied a rope between them to get safely out when officers from the Department of Conservation and the sheriff's department rescued them. Her church set her up with a temporary residence.

Then she lost her job when her place of employment flooded. She's been out of the work for more than two weeks, she said.

FEMA officials told Hernandez they can help her keep up with her rent and bills while she gets back on her feet.

Callie and Odie, Hernandez's cat and Boston terrier, will also receive free microchips to help authorities locate them should they get separated from their owner during a disaster, and Odie will be spayed for free, Hernandez said.

The free microchip systems were donated to the Humane Society for flood victims by the Home Again Corp., said Cheryl Dillon, director of the Humane Society. Free dog and cat food is also available to flood victims, Dillon said.

People should bring identification with them that shows their address in the flooded areas.

Another assistance center will be open from noon to 8 p.,m. today at the Delta Community Center in Delta.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245

Have a comment?

Log on to semissourian.com/today