NEBRASKA & IOWA FLOODING March, 2019
Hand of Hope - Omaha and Sioux City
March 15, 2019 was the beginning of significant flooding from North central Nebraska all the way to the Southeast corner of the state plus flooding across the river into Iowa. Heavy rain on top of record snow fall, coupled with 60 degree temperatures melted nearly the entire snow base in 2 days. Waters ran wildly as the ground was frozen solid. Next, levees and dams broke which created walls of water and amplified the water volume heading into already flooded areas.
2019 was very busy as 191 volunteers shared 3,695 service hours with 22families and their communities, from Pacific Junction, Iowa (2,510 hours) to Bellevue, NE/Valley (480 hours), and initially three trips (Feb to March) to Houston, TX. (705 hours).
In 2020, we worked in smaller teams through July, contribute another additional 800 hours in Pacific Junction, but we wrapped up due to Covid-19 concerns.
From February through September 2020 we also became a furniture donations conduit between Omaha and Pacific Junction, taking several trailer loads of furniture to those in need. We worked through a trusted resident who helped us match the donations to the recipients. Two households in Omaha donated Kitchen Cabinets they were replacing. We were able to reconstruct and refinish them to fit perfectly into the last two homes we assisted with. We GREATLY appreciate the dedication of volunteers as we worked for over 15 months on this single disaster.
March 15, 2019 was the beginning of significant flooding from North central Nebraska all the way to the Southeast corner of the state plus flooding across the river into Iowa. Heavy rain on top of record snow fall, coupled with 60 degree temperatures melted nearly the entire snow base in 2 days. Waters ran wildly as the ground was frozen solid. Next, levees and dams broke which created walls of water and amplified the water volume heading into already flooded areas.
2019 was very busy as 191 volunteers shared 3,695 service hours with 22families and their communities, from Pacific Junction, Iowa (2,510 hours) to Bellevue, NE/Valley (480 hours), and initially three trips (Feb to March) to Houston, TX. (705 hours).
In 2020, we worked in smaller teams through July, contribute another additional 800 hours in Pacific Junction, but we wrapped up due to Covid-19 concerns.
From February through September 2020 we also became a furniture donations conduit between Omaha and Pacific Junction, taking several trailer loads of furniture to those in need. We worked through a trusted resident who helped us match the donations to the recipients. Two households in Omaha donated Kitchen Cabinets they were replacing. We were able to reconstruct and refinish them to fit perfectly into the last two homes we assisted with. We GREATLY appreciate the dedication of volunteers as we worked for over 15 months on this single disaster.
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Pacific Junction, IOWA
Several small towns along I-29 were devastated by as much as 10'-12' flood waters for several weeks. Hope of moving home is slim to many who have no idea where to start. We will be heavily focused along with other Teams, to make a difference for this community. Initially only 25% had plans to rebuild. Our goal is to assist those who need a hand and show them how we can help get them back home. |
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2020 Wrap Up in Pacific Junction
After starting the year working several weekdays and weekends, Covid-19 forced us to shut down large scale efforts. We did continue efforts with small teams of 2-3 until late July. Many people donated furniture and appliances into September. We were able to be that link between the donors and a trusted resident who helped us match the donations to the recipients. Two households in Omaha donated Kitchen Cabinets they were replacing. We were able to reconstruct and refinish them to fit perfectly into the last two homes we assisted with. We GREATLY appreciate the dedication of volunteers as we worked for over 15 months on this single disaster. Please enjoy the pictures of what was donated and rebuilt. |
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Bringing Christmas to Pacific Junction
With help from the King of Kings Church Student Ministries Leaders and Students on December 1, Christmas was brought to two homes in Pacific Junction. This act resulted in an immediate lifting of spirits. |
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Wrapping up 2019 in Pacific Junction! November and December were amazing as we broadened our reach to more families and hit 2,500 hours of volunteer service to PJ. Henry and Koreena now have painted walls, cabinets in place, doors hung and soon flooring. Jack and Carmen's home now is painted and half the floors installed, still OK in their heated garage for now. Eric and Naomi are getting electrical run, but set in their heated shed for now. Angie now has painted walls, doors hung, flooring and trim complete! Cindi went from stud walls to drywall hung and attic insulation blown in, mudding complete and now ready to prime walls. Tim and Shari are in their home and painting. Kevin and Gail have gone from studs to drywall, attic insulation, furnace, mudding, painting and flooring in on first floor.
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Clean up after the flood had to be devastating to the homeowners as they had to sort through and throw away so much. The task of going back to maintain the yard quickly became much more than a mower could handle. Many yards sat unattended as the homeowners relocated temporarily to new places. We continued our long-term focus of helping both the City and Residents. On dry days we worked to transform the look of the city. Planting the new flowers in pots on main street, created and set up new city signs and marching down each street to make it look like home again. There is still MUCH to do!
Thank you to Elkhorn ACE Hardware for loaning us equipment! |
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Rebuilding continues in Pacific Junction! We worked three weeks for Angie, a single mom. Determined to stay, but overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, a neighbor asked if we could help her. On 10/19 we completed putting in a new shower, installed the insulation and drywall. October 30 the mudders are done. November 2... Angie's new furnace is installed!!
Off to Henry and Koreena's where we had to replace all the flooring before we could start any insulation or drywalling. As of 10/20 the insulation was in and the drywall hung. |
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CITY SERVE Event
In the streets of Pacific Junction on 9/29/19, over 55 volunteers braved the rain and began a big job of cleaning up overgrown yards littered with debris and personal belongings left behind from the flood. With the additional stress and overwhelming feelings, trying to do this alone is just too much for the homeowners to do on their own. By 29th, 44 had asked for assistance. We could hit only 10% after being chased indoors by heavy rain... But on the bright side.... The volunteers insulated two homes!! We will continue to work on yard clean up as a 2nd priority to getting people back in their homes. It was a great day to as a community, serve a community. |
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September 19-21 - We began insulation and drywall for two more families east of Pacific Junction. One of these homes was nearly 5 miles from the river and the first floor sat in 40” of water. The other was nearly that far and had about a foot of water…. On SECOND floor. We appreciated the assistance from employees of The Hartford Insurance, one of our financial supporters. On the 20th over a dozen were present to assist as we began work for two new families! Always awesome to have people come and learn skills to help others.
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Action taking place in Pacific Junction
Since the end of August, we have been in Pacific Junction, working three days a week and appreciating all the volunteers we get. There are many people who need help very soon to avoid being out of their homes over the winter. Once the Electrical work is complete and inspected, we can come in to insulate and drywall homes. September 12-14 we started assisting two neighbors in town.... Both had flooding just about to their ceilings... We put up enough drywall for one so they could have insulation sprayed in and will go back later to do more work. The other has a long process of Subfloor removal, support work changes and new Subfloor installation to do. We will work on that for a couple weeks, then can turn it over to the Electrician for begin their work. We had time to help one east of town on the same afternoon. |
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Tim and Sharie's Home - PACIFIC JUNCTION
September 20th - Drywall Tape and Ceiling Texturing complete! On to priming and painting! September 7th - Sharie and Tim have been working hard right next to our teams. It was only fitting that Sharie put the last screw in the last piece of drywall. Thanks to the donations we have received, we ordered all their doors and will be hanging them in early October. Big Shout Out To Dave and Elaine for feeding volunteers every day! August 28th - We kicked off work in Pacific Junction as we assist Tim and Sharie. Their Split Entry home had water 2' deep on second floor! |
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SUPPLIES TO Pacific Junction, Iowa
Through the generous sharing of our friends at Heart for Texas in Houston and transportation assistance from Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, NE, worked together to arrange for hundreds of sheets of drywall, paint, flooring, insulation and drywall compound to be shipped here. All of this shared at no cost to the home owners. This alone will save each of them hundreds of dollars in material costs.
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August 12 & 13 plus 16 & 17 - We moved over 300 sheets of drywall to Pacific Junction, IA and a trailer full of building materials into a warehouse in Omaha. August 3 - Volunteers lugged 58 pieces of drywall up the steps to the second floor that had been damaged and unloaded the rest in the garage. August 2 - We loaded up 90 pieces of sheet rock, insulation and materials and took to Tim and Sharie's home just south of Pacific Junction. |
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Hanson Lakes, NE - Devastated in the flooding of March 15, 2019
Hand of Hope has begun our rebuilding assistance for Kurt and Jane at Hanson Lakes, on the south side of Bellevue. In the last two years they had completed remodeling their home in hopes of retirement there. The flood waters reached the ceiling and the home needed to be completely gutted. They have worked hard to clean and salvage all they could. After a resurgence of flooding, in early June, the floodwaters finally receded from their front door. On June 12 we began the process of site preparation for insulation and drywall.
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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVED!
Hanson Lakes update: August 30 - The walls are now finished and all primed, the ceiling is textured, the doors are hung and the attic insulation has now been blown in. A small amount of Window trimming is being completed and the kitchen cabinets will be installed separately by September 6. Kurt and Jane will then take the baton and make it their home again. August 10 - Eleven volunteers helped replace the last large window and ALL of the drywall was now hung. We were so far ahead of schedule that we even installed 90% of the insulation AND drywall in the garage. And thank you to Kim and Keri who supplied a grand meal! August 9 - Ten more volunteers and great food pushed us, now only the Master Bedroom and Bathroom to finish. Three of the big windows were replaced today too! Julie K again provided a meal for the team, the FOURTH time she has made or helped with a meal... We know what her gift is! August 7 - Began 3 days to finish hanging all the drywall. Nine volunteers were able to get a great run at the drywall. We also got all the doors painted. July 31 - It was a BIG crew and an awesome evening Wednesday! We had a great time working in small groups throughout the home installing drywall. The ceiling work left is becoming less as we have only half of the Master bedroom ceiling plus that closet/bathroom left. The walls took a big step forward as the Great Room is now complete, plus we have half of the second bedroom done. Special thanks to Judy, Julie and Sarah who supplied a wonderful meal during our break. July 24 - 8 volunteers plus Kurt and Jane unloaded the trailer and by the end of the night we had drywall on the ceilings of 3 rooms and on 3 of the walls in the Great Room. We were only slowed by the delicious food brought by Julie! |
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July 22 a crew of 7 loaded drywall in preparation for 5 sessions to get it installed.
July 8 brought 6 more volunteers who finished the Great Room ceiling and rocked part of both bathrooms. June 28 and 29 were two steamy days. Kurt and Jane have done a ton of work themselves so it was nice to work side by side with them. Even with the heat index in the triple digits we were able to make fantastic progress. The teams installed all of the exterior wall insulation, nearly completed exterior siding on the third wall, did some serious floor leveling, stacked dozens of 70# flood sandbags, moved a significant amount of dirt into landscaping, installed about 25% of the ceiling drywall. We were very thankful for Julie, Michele and Judi who kindly fed us each day. June 12 we started with wall prep. |
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