House of the Carpenter Concludes Flood Operations on Wheeling Island
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As the hub for donations and volunteers during the city's last two weeks of flooding, the House of the Carpenter's flood assistance efforts have had to rise alongside the Ohio River.
Now, after two weeks of donation collection and flood clean-up, House of the Carpenter employees and volunteers have begun winding down flood operations.
While reflecting on the past two weeks, Executive Director Michael Linger noted that their operations would not have stayed afloat without community assistance.
Though the organization was prepared for the first round of flooding at the start of the month, Linger explained the second time the Ohio River crested at flood stage this weekend caught the organization off guard.
"One of the advantages of the Ohio River flooding is you have some time before the water gets here, so we knew it was coming," said Linger. "We had to rush around when that second round hit because nobody expected it."
Due to so many residents being affected by the flooding, the organization shut down its regular operations to concentrate on flood cleanup efforts completely.
"For the last several days, we've shut down all of our other programming just to concentrate on getting cleaning supplies and stuff out because it’s such a massive need," explained Linger on Tuesday. "When flooding happens, you want to get the water and the mud out as fast as possible.
"There are a couple of different processes going through to disinfect it and remove the odors, and so you need to get on that fast," he continued. "Making the cleaning supplies accessible for those it was unavailable to was the top priority."
The organization's pre-flood preparation included obtaining the cleaning materials for after-flood clean-up, which Linger said they received a "remarkable amount" of donations for. The materials the organization collected from donors included bleach, disinfectant, laundry detergent, dish soap, squeegees and shovels
The House of the Carpenter also received 950 emergency flood clean-up buckets from the Volunteer Organization Assisting in Disaster and the United Methodist Church Disaster Ministries West Virginia Conference.
As more donations flooded their building, the organization became the center for volunteers for flood clean-up efforts as well. Linger credited Ward 2 Councilman Ben Seidler, whose Wheeling Island home was also flooded, with helping coordinate volunteer efforts.
"Ben organized more volunteers than we did," noted Linger. "We would have volunteers come in, and he would tell us where to send them."
Volunteer and House of the Carpenter Board Member Janet Roset was handing out flood supplies to Wheeling Island residents on Tuesday. She explained she learned about the organization needing volunteers through the organization's Facebook page.
"I just retired, so this is the first event that the House of the Carpenter has had that I can help with," said Roset. "The enthusiasm and dedication of the staff members has just been unbelievable. I mean, they have been here every day for the last 14 days and are still pleasant and joking around."
Many of the faces that volunteers have been handing supplies to are familiar ones. Linger explained the organization has assisted many Wheeling Island residents during flooding before.
"We've been having conversations with Wheeling Island folks about how much water and mud they got and what supplies they may need from us based on that," said Linger. "This operation was based on our relationships with folks here on the Island, so we know what supplies they needed."
It was disheartening for Linger to see the same familiar faces return not even a week later as the Ohio River crested at 37.8 feet this weekend.
"I would say almost everyone who came the second time had been here the first time," noted Linger. "It was the same people going through the same process, so a lot of them were very tired and very stressed. It's heartbreaking to finally get everything clean on dry one weekend and then get flooded the next."
Though it was tough to see residents suffer through two consecutive weeks of flooding, Linger was touched by the number of neighbors lending a hand to each other.
"Some people would show up and say, 'I live on this street, and we've got five houses flooded. Can I take supplies for everyone and drop them off along the way to my house?'" recalled Linger. "These neighbors all know and understand the challenges of the flooding, so they are there ready to help each other clean mud out of basements."
While the House of the Carpenter primarily lent a hand to Wheeling Island residents, some South Wheeling and Ohio residents who did not have access to cleaning supplies through programs in their home state also sought assistance. Linger estimated the organization helped "500 to 600 people" total during the flooding.
Linger explained that as flood clean-up efforts slowed down this week, the House has begun compiling a report on the total value of the organization's donations. He estimates the final number will be "astronomical."
With so many donations received, the HOC will donate the extra bleach and flood buckets to Ohio County Emergency Services in the event of creek flooding this spring. To receive so many donations that they have to give away leftover items is inspiring to Linger.
"It's one of the moments that shows you what's possible when you get a group of people committed together on a common cause," noted Linger. "This was people genuinely caring for the folks that live beside them and that aren’t directly beside them. It’s one of the moments that genuinely inspires you."
Today, the House of the Carpenter will close down its flood operations and transition back into normal programming. The organization will no longer accept flood donations.