Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Flood Threat: How You Can Help Flood Victims Clean-Up
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Omaha, NE - As the high flooding waters from the Elkhorn River force many people from their homes, Action 3 News is joining forces with major charities to help victims recover when the water recedes. As of Tuesday night, any flood victim can call 211 to put them in touch with either The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross or The United Way. From food to clothes to toiletries, flood victims can tell them what they need.
Elkhorn River waters continue to rush by homes in King Lake. In some spots several feet of water are actually flowing through homes. One of those houses in King Lake belongs to Elizabeth Felix. Felix tells Action 3 News she isn't sure what the next step is or where to turn. "I mean I worry about the mold and stuff, our furniture and appliances, I mean I don't know how much water has come in the house they won't let us go and check on it," said Elizabeth.
Action 3 News is teaming up with The Salvation Army, The United Way, The American Red Cross to help flood victims get back on their feet and to do it they need your help. The Salvation Army is asking for donations of cleaning supplies. They need: brooms, mops, buckets, gloves, masks, goggles, Clorox or any other cleaning solution. Divisional Director of The Salvation Army, John Kuzma says they need anything homeowners would use to clean a house.
Kuzma says he has seen the devastation floods can leave behind. "You walk in and everything that you had in the house when you walked out is all re-arranged all full of mud all muck all yucky stuff. And then you're trying to figure out what can I save what can I salvage out of this thing?" said Kuzma.
Kuzma believes it will be days before victims will be able to return to their homes in King Lake. He forecasts 1 out of 3 homes will be condemned. Before homes can be cleaned, Kuzma says the waters must go down and building and health inspectors must clear the safety of the house.
For now, flood victims and those ready to help them clean-up wait for the waters to go down, knowing rebuilding will be a long road.
You can drop off cleaning supplies or cash donations at either The Salvation Army at 3612 Cuming Street or at Action 3 News at 10714 Mockingbird Drive.
Reported By: Liz Dorland, ldorland@action3news.com
