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Community Takes Care of Its Own
Written by
Lesly C. Simmons
, Staff Writer and Photographer, Redcross.org
Thursday, November 10, 2005 — EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Residents in Evansville, Ind., proudly refer to themselves as a “typical Midwestern town,” demonstrating their commitment to their neighbors and their community by coming together in a spectacular fashion to help others so profoundly affected by last Sunday’s tornado.
All across the city and in neighboring town, people affected by the storm and those who just wanted to help were out in force, doing whatever they could do to start the cleanup and rebuilding process for those in need.
“On Sunday morning as soon as first light people were out here trying to help,” said Lori Jones, who had significant damage at her home in Newburgh. “It was almost too much to start—we were still trying to process what was going on. But people have been coming back everyday and it’s been great.”
Along with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and several area churches have dedicated themselves to supporting affected residents. Individuals have also come out in force to do whatever they can to help.
“We were out early passing out donuts, and in one area all of the homes were completely destroyed except one that wasn’t that bad,” said Judy Wallenmeyer, a Red Cross volunteer from Henderson County, Ky., just across the state line from Evansville. “The lady living [there] gave us a brand new generator and told us to take and give it to someone who needed it more than she did.”
Evansville resident Allyson Bigham stopped by the Southwestern Indiana chapter office on Tuesday morning with a stroller and a baby seat to donate to storm victims.
“I heard on the radio that people needed these things, so I figured even though there is not a whole lot I can do, I could bring these things to the Red Cross,” she said. “My daughter is too big for these things so someone else can get good use out them.”
Linda Rich stands in her backyard looking for anything that resembles the home that she has lived in for nearly 12 years.
(Photo Credit: Lesly Simmons/American Red Cross)
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According to Jones, the Evansville area has always been a place where people take care of their neighbors.
“When I bought the house a year and a half ago I closed on a Friday, and that weekend we had a big storm that knocked down a huge tree in my backyard,” she said. “Before I could even get there my neighbor was there with his chainsaw cutting it up for me. It’s just a good feeling to be in a place like this. You just can’t get through something like this without other people.”
Despite the damage at her own home, Jones still spent the day helping her neighbors, proving true the pride that brings this community together in times both good and bad. Most people are simply staying thankful that they survived and are focusing on moving forward.
“My house isn’t that bad compared to my neighbors, so I’m out here trying to help them. It’s really the least I can do.”
Newburgh, Ind., resident Linda Rich is thankful that a late visit to friends in Kentucky kept her, her husband and two young children safe during the storm.
“Strangely enough, we were visiting friends in Kentucky and since it was a late night, we spent the night in a mobile home they have on their property,” said Rich.
The family heard about the storm and returned home to find total chaos. Despite the storm, both family pets — a dog and a turtle — survived.
This massive tree could not withstand high winds from Sunday’s tornado.
(Photo Credit: Lesly Simmons/American Red Cross)
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The Flaherty’s a few blocks away had just moved into their new apartment three months before the tornado.
“We really liked it over here, but we were lucky enough that the landlord had another apartment across town free,” said Joyce Flaherty. “We just came back to get whatever we could and move in today.”
“I think we are so fortunate that our kids weren’t here, so they didn’t have to go through this,” said husband Sean. “They were staying with their grandmother.”
During the tornado no one in the house heard the tornado sirens go off, but they felt the winds pick up. Soon, Sean said, the door came off the hinges as the tornado moved through.
“At around 4 am we were trying to get to our car, and it was like we were walking through a junkyard or a dump,” said Sarah Barnes, a family friend who was staying with the Flaherty’s. “We couldn’t tell if we were in the front yard or the back yard.”
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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