For Quiyana Burnside, a lifelong resident of Gary, Indiana, some of the hardest losses from the August storms were things she could never replace. 

After her son died in 2019, she kept his belongings in the basement, which had once been his bedroom: poems, pictures, clothes. 

Seven years after her son’s death, the flooding ruined many of the things she had kept to remember him. 

“This whole situation is just depressing,” Quiyana said. “I lost a lot of things with sentimental value.” 

More than four weeks after the storms, residents were still facing the damage left behind. Uprooted trees and debris had blocked streets, and whole neighborhoods had lost power. For many, the disaster added to challenges they were already facing. 

“So many have already been dealing with hardship pre-disaster,” said Anne de la Rosa, an American Red Cross volunteer who deployed from California. 

Quiyana went without power for two weeks. Her basement is now overtaken by mold, her car’s front window is broken and damage has left the back portion of her home inaccessible. 

Through it all, she has continued taking steps to care for herself and her family. 

“I stay prayed up... do what I gotta do.” 

She found a hotel where she could stay with Fred, her boyfriend of five years, and Prince, her dog of three years. She has also applied for assistance to help meet their needs. 

The Red Cross has provided blankets and other essential items. Most recently, volunteers Rose Marie Malizio and Dustin Allen delivered a mini refrigerator. 

“I am so grateful for all that you do,” Quiyana told them. “Thank you.” 

Rose Marie and Dustin are part of a team delivering meals and essential supplies to people affected by the storms. The team also helps meet individual needs through deliveries like the refrigerator brought to Quiyana. 

After the drop-off, Rose Marie said she was “just happy to help.” 

Quiyana is grateful for the Red Cross and proud to see the “community of Gary come together to feed and support one another.” Across the region, neighbors, community partners and Red Cross volunteers continue to help people through recovery. 

Much of what was lost in the storms can never truly be replaced. But for families working to rebuild, something as practical as a refrigerator can provide a measure of stability and a reminder that recovery is underway. 

To learn more about how the Red Cross is supporting communities across Indiana, visit RedCross.org/Indiana. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by severe weather and needs assistance, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit RedCross.org/GetHelp. 

By Aileen Blomdal.