As spirits begin to fall, help arrives

August 27, 2008
by Shannon Durbin

Few people realize the long-term effects of a major disaster. The emotional toll it takes on a town can show up months and years later in the victims, the caregivers, even those not directly involved. The floods in Clayton County took place at the beginning of June. Now that students are back in school, the summer seems almost over and the time lapsed is more apparent.

To help with the stress and the continuous efforts to clean up volunteer organizations are continuing to come in and mental health officials are making their presence known.

A volunteer from Rushford Lutheran Church, Minnesota removes plaster from the Erickson house.

Parishioners of Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford, Minnesota know what a flood feels like. Their church and town of 1,696 was flooded last August, "In fact it was this week last year," says Pastor Roger Michaelson, who brought a group of parishioners to volunteer in Elkader. Until this mission, no one in the group had even heard of Elkader, but on Friday there were immersed in it. "Our town looks very similar, we even have the same or similar dike system," says Michaelson.

Today Rushford is still not whole. Volunteers continue to trickle in to repair damages. "We wanted to return the favor of all the people who have come and are still coming to help us," says Ted Roberton, a volunteer. The group consisting of a pastor, a farmer, a baker, a CEO, and a dentist, just to name a few, labored on tearing down plaster and lath from the Erickson home. The home is being moved into the country. The house will have to be re-drywalled when set in its new location as the move creates cracks.

Mental health is also a large issue concerning those affected by the flood and those indirectly related. A recent grant Project Recovery of Iowa has been given to the state to provide free counseling at accredited organizations.

Volunteer Ted Roberton and Pastor Roger Michaelson

Some of the early reactions of those affected could be fearfulness, reluctance to leave property, concentration problems, and difficulty with decision-making. As time goes on, reactions may sneak up on people, showing up as appetite and digestive problems, sleep difficulty, headaches and physical complaints, frustration, apathy, depression, crying without reason, irritability and isolation.

For victims as well as others helping it is important to understand these reactions as normal responses to stressful situation. Other suggestions include sharing and listening to others, getting plenty of rest and healthy food, maintain a routine, exercise, and take time to relax.

Several mental health centers are available for the Clayton County area. Lynda L Elger, a crisis counselor is available through the North East Iowa Behavioral Health organization. All appointments are completely anonymous. The number is 319-283-5772. Her organization as well as several others can provide free counseling sponsored by a grant from the state, Project Recovery of Iowa. Backbone Area Counseling Center in Manchester is also available at 563-927-7330. The Iowa Concern Hotline can be reached at 1-800-447-1985. To find the nearest center offering post-disaster stress counseling you may also visit www.fema.gov/assistance/opendrcs.shtm.

Contact

The Clayton County Register
106 Cedar Street NW • PO Box 130
Elkader, IA 52043
(563) 245-1311
FAX: (563) 245-1312
ccrnews@alpinecom.net