Greene County group providing flood relief
Greene County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster recently received a donation from EQT in response to requests for money and in-kind assistance to local businesses, churches and other organizations to help those impacted by the Dec. 18 flood. Those who participated in the check presentation are, from left, Amy Switalski, director of County Housing & Family Resources; Barbara Wise, director of Greene County United Way; Casey Durdines, local government and community affairs specialist; and Minnie Boles, Community Action Southwest care management ombudsman supervisor.
Water in Ten Mile Creek laps up against a bridge being constructed on Route 19/21 in Morrisville during last month’s flooding.
Cars are trapped in floodwaters in Rogersville.
A group of Greene County churches, agencies and organizations that was formed to assist people impacted by the recent flood has continued with its efforts and is now seeking a used mobile home for an elderly woman whose home was severely damaged.
The group, which calls itself Greene County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, has provided assistance to about 30 families or individuals who have suffered damages as a result of the Dec. 18 flood.
Most of the work has involved providing assistance cleaning up basements and replacing or repairing hot water tanks and furnaces, said Barb Wise, executive director of the Greene County United Way, one of the agencies involved in the effort.
Flooding on Dec. 18 damaged a number of properties primarily in the Waynesburg area, but also in parts of Center, Morris and Wayne townships. However, the extent of the damage failed to reach the threshold for the county to receive federal disaster relief.
“That was when we took action and said we’re just going to have to take care of ourselves,” Wise said.
The group has been meeting to provide resources, support and other assistance to those who suffered damage to their homes, vehicles and other belongings, she said.
Trained emergency response teams from the United Methodist Committee on Relief from Waynesburg, Johnstown and Pittsburgh and other Greene County volunteers have assessed damages and continue to assist with clean-up efforts, she said.
Those who still may need assistance with clean-up or mold remediation, or who have other needs, can contact Christy Orndorff, United Methodist district disaster response coordinator, at 724-627-6805.
However, the group’s main priority now, Wise said, is to find a used mobile home to replace the mobile home of an elderly western Greene County woman and her son, whose home has been made safe and livable for now, but will have to be replaced.
“Volunteers have been working to clean up her place, but it’s just putting a Band-Aid on it,” she said.
It has not been an easy task, however, finding a good used mobile home as a replacement, Wise said, referring to efforts she has made, including calls to local dealers as well as those in Ohio and West Virginia.
The group has raised money through donations, and now has about $14,000, but it just can’t find a good used mobile home, she said.
“Everyone I’ve called has been really nice, but it’s become very frustrating,” she said.
Anyone who might know where a good used mobile home can be found is asked to contact Wise at 724-852-1009.
The local disaster relief group is composed of Catholic Charities, Greene County United Way, Salvation Army, Greene County, Community Action Southwest, Area Agency on Aging, American Red Cross, WWJD, United Methodist Committee on Relief, Greater Waynesburg Christian Outreach, state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, and First United Methodist Church in Waynesburg.
The group earlier made specific requests for money and in-kind assistance to local businesses, churches and other organizations, and is grateful to those who have responded, including EQT, Chevron and Wayne Lumber, Wise said.
Donations earmarked for “Greene County Flood Fund” are being accepted by First United Methodist Church, 112 N. Richhill St., Waynesburg, PA 15370.
A complete list of contributors will be shared in the future, Wise said. All of the money raised will be used directly for the flood response in Greene County.
Any amounts exceeding what is needed for the victims of the December flood will be held over to use for future disaster responses. “We have decided to be a permanent group and will start meeting quarterly so that the next time there is a disaster, we will be prepared,” she said.