This week representatives with the American Red Cross are in the Pine Grove community providing victims of the recent flood with assistance that can help them get back on their feet.
The assistance ranges from monetary, cleanup supplies and a referral for help with health needs or even aid in repairing damage to a home.
While not directly on the coast, Pearl River County has dealt with a fair share of flood damage.
Most notable was the flood following Hurricane Isaac.
The flood earlier this month did not bring flooding to as many homes as the 2013 flood after the hurricane, but several families were still affected negatively by the rising waters.
Fortunately there were no deaths as a result of the disaster, but rebuilding a home after it has suffered even only inches of floodwater is not an easy task.
Homeowners must tear out the damaged floor and wall materials in order for the home to properly dry and avoid the growth of dangerous molds.
Then there’s the work to install new flooring, insulation and drywall once the structure has had proper time to dry.
The presence of the American Red Cross is surely appreciated by the community.
But this is just the first step in recovery. There will be a long road to getting back to where these families were before the disaster occurred.
It is our hope that no one ever has to deal with a flood ever again, but that would take moving many homes out of flood prone areas, costing tax dpayers untold amounts of money.
Until that time comes, people who live in flood zones will have to deal with the negative effects of heavy rains.