CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — The city of Carmel hosted a recovery open house Tuesday to help residents affected by recent flooding. The goal is to connect flood victims with the resources they need, including filing insurance claims, cleaning homes or finding temporary housing.
“It’s been a little slow to get some help so we’re just getting information at this time,” Lisa Ford said. Ford said the flood damaged her entire home. “The lower level up to the ceiling, the middle level about 7-8 feet and half way up the third floor so we lost everything.”
Ford has FEMA flood insurance but is waiting for a response. She went to Northview Church in Carmel, where the Red Cross, Serve Village and the Indiana Department of Insurance were stationed. These organizations helped document property damage, provided free tetanus vaccines and removed debris from homes.
Late Tuesday night, the Trump administration approved a major disaster declaration to provide federal aid to 21 Indiana counties damaged in storms and flooding, Gov. Mike Braun announced Wednesday night in a news release. The release did not say how much money would be available, only that it was “millions.”
“We’ve been in alot of those neighborhood,” Mike Polster, the church’s executive pastor said. “They need a lot of labor and man power to clean out their homes so their ready to move back in and start their lives over again.”
Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian organization, is providing emergency aid. The group is using the church parking lot for the next few days to help clean and disinfect homes so they are ready for contractors. This work includes cutting away wet drywall and paneling.
“We actually have a volunteer come in tonight from California flying herself here for the next few days that is how the ministry happens,” Emily Clementz, assistant program manager for Samaritan’s Purse said. “We still do need more volunteers. Some of these houses take two to three days to complete. That is the type of damage we’re seeing. And so we would love to see an army of people go into these neighborhoods that were affected and help support these homeowners.”
Ford is hoping to find answers, but she said some things cannot be fixed. “It’s heartbreaking. My oldest son is 31 and I have 31 years of pictures of my kids, momentos from my granny and my parents. I don’t care about the other stuff its just the momentos and pictures.”
For more information on volunteer opportunities with Samaritan Purse visit here.
