“I’ll believe it when I see it.” You know that phrase. The skeptic in us wants to see evidence, rather than accepting on faith that something is as we’re told.
These days, that’s an understandable sentiment.
Images of recent historic flooding show devastation almost beyond belief. Entire city blocks, businesses and farms under several feet of water, roads washed out, homes filled with mud and debris.
The water is gone, but the less visible work of recovery continues.
In the days following the December flood, local churches and agencies like North Sound Accountable Community of Health (ACH), Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group (WLTRG) and Opportunity Council worked to meet immediate needs. BP and Phillips 66, as well as the Nooksack Tribe and Ferndale Community Services stepped up. As did several county departments, including Public Works, Finance, and Health and Community Services and the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management (DEM), which coordinated the initial disaster response, including:
- Managing flood debris locations, with the county paying the cost
- Immediate needs assessment and coordinating shelter efforts
- Provided funding for Whatcom LTRG and North Sound ACH to provide direct support
- Coordinating and hosting Disaster Assistance Centers as a single-site resource for help with multiple services, ranging from replacing valuable papers to filing insurance claims
- Coordinating with external partners such as The Salvation Army and American Red Cross for expedited access to food, shelter and essential services
- Facilitated the damage assessment process to help those impacted make their best case for financial assistance
- Provided Jail work crews for debris cleanup along roadways
Through County and DEM leadership, as well as work with governmental and non-profit agencies, behind-the-scenes recovery work continues. A sampling:
- County Health and Community Services is allocating $750,000 from the county’s Healthy Children Fund to support families with young children recovering from the flood
- Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) established in Sumas to provide low-interest loans for households, non-profits and small businesses (US Small Business Administration)
- Facilitating the Washington State Individual (household) Assistance process
Though the rebuilding process may be slow, help is here and recovery is underway. So perhaps the message really is: “We’ll see it – when we believe it.”
