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National volunteer groups help with Union Township cleanup efforts after tornadoes

5 min read
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Homeowner Bob Schallenberger picks up some branches from his Union Township home. Schallenberger’s property was one of several that were damaged in tornadoes that struck Elrama within a week of each other.
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Volunteers from Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that helps communities following disasters, clears trees from a property in Union Township on Wednesday. More than 30 trees were knocked down or broken during a May 11 tornado.

Days after a second tornado swept through Elrama, causing extensive damage, two national volunteer groups are assisting with cleanup efforts.

Union Township officials said residents can call PA211 to get in touch with Team Rubicon and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, which are providing their services for free.

Team Rubicon volunteers were at homes in the hard-hit areas of Elrama and Finleyville on Wednesday, where crews worked to remove trees and debris.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers also plan to arrive to clear debris from streams and waterways.

“This is a lot,” said Kim Finnigan, a volunteer with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that helps communities before, during and after disasters.

Finnigan, who lived in Houston, Texas, when Hurricane Harvey caused major flooding there in 2017, and a brigade of workers, armed with chainsaws and other equipment, had arrived at the home of Bob Schallenberger on Morgan Lane in Finleyville, where at least 30 trees were downed by the EF2 tornado on his 13-acre property.

“I lived through Harvey and for me, that’s when I decided to start with Team Rubicon. Going through all of that made me realize it can be so overwhelming to people, and just someone showing up and saying, ‘We care about you and we want to help you,’ that’s in my heart. That’s why I do it.”

The National Weather Service Pittsburgh estimated the wind speed reached 118 miles per hour during the May 11 tornado.

The tornado, which traveled about six miles, damaged at least a dozen homes and buildings and Crossroads Ministries church, along with several vehicles, and toppled power lines. No serious injuries were reported.

Schallenberger, 82, was at home when the tornado tore through his property at around 6:05 p.m. He said he had considered going ballroom dancing, but decided to stay home because he saw on the news that there was a chance of severe weather.

“So I turned on a TV program and then I heard the wind, and the electric flickered a little bit and then the power went out. I went to my front door and opened it, and I see debris blowing by,” said Schallenberger. “Then all of a sudden I hear fire trucks and all this stuff, and I go out and look and see two telephone poles and transformers were gone, and well, you can see for yourself the damage. A huge tree fell across the driveway and I couldn’t get out. I’ve seen microbursts come through here, but nothing like this. ”

The house, which his parents built and where he has lived most of his life, sustained minor damage.

Insurance will not cover the cost of removal of trees that did not fall on a structure.

The township does not qualify for federal or state help.

“It would cost thousands of dollars because of the number of trees here. I’m definitely thankful for (Team Rubicon’s) help. It’s going to take quite a while to clear this,” said Schallenberger, surveying the path of snapped and uprooted trees. “I just want all of this out of my yard, if it’s possible.”

Township Supervisor Michalle Dupree noted the tornado is the fourth emergency the township has endured since April. Record rainfall caused flooding twice in April, and an EF0 tornado touched down on May 17. According to the NWS, that tornado reached speeds of about 80 mph and caused damage to homes and trees.

Dupree noted the recent weather events also resulted in the closure of two roads that were badly damaged, and two township bridges also were damaged.

“The community has been thankful for the help; the people from Team Rubicon have been really awesome, and our community has been touched; we’re so glad they’re here. (Residents) weren’t sure who was going to help them,” said Dupree. “These are 100% volunteers. They are volunteering their services.”

Sean Riggan, a volunteer with Rubicon, said the team members likely will be on site until Saturday. They set up bunks at the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department, and members of the community have been stopping by to drop off meals and to thank them for their efforts.

“The community has been phenomenal. They’ve made us feel welcome, we have folks dropping off food,” said Riggan. “There is a lot of damage and debris. I believe, as it stands right now, that everybody who’s asked us for help is going to get it. Everybody who needs help, we want them to call as soon as possible. A lot of our folks are veterans, a lot of our folks are first responders, so we have a special compassion on that front.”

Schallenberger has fond memories of growing up in the house.

“Back here used to be my dad’s potato patch. He’d grow potatoes every year and it used to last us all summer. And over here used to be a strawberry patch. One time, my mother and I picked 55 quarts of strawberries, and we ended up selling them locally,” he recalled. “There is so much history for me here. But nature will rebuild it after we get it cleaned up.”

The township encourages those in need of tornado cleanup help to call PA211, coordinated by The United Way. Dial 11. Then, users will be prompted to dial 1.

For information or to donate to Team Rubicon, visit https://donate.teamrubiconusa.org/donation/investinteamrubicon24/. To donate to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, visit https://www.sendrelief.org/southern-baptist-disaster-relief/.

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