So, as many of you (hopefully) know, SE Minnesota was devastated this past weekend by flash flooding. Rushford, my hometown, was hit particularly hard. My parents and grandma are ok, but a lot of my friends and extended family are really suffering right now. My friend Amanda is organizing a clothing/food/supply drive to help Rushford. If you want to help out, please donate to the Red Cross or bring your clothing / supply donations to me, and we will bring them down to Rushford. Below is her message:
-Brenda

Hello,

Here is an update of the flooding back home. I was finally able to reach my dad and brother yesterday and got this news. My 2 brothers, sister, niece and brother in law have moved into my parents' house and are okay, but are running out of supplies due not being able to access their money or make it to another town to get supplies. My aunt's and cousin's house were located across the street from the levee that over flowed. It is very likely that their homes are completely lost. Currently they are staying at another aunt's house. My mom has been home once since Saturday to pick up clean clothes, but has been out working with the Red Cross shelters and volunteers in the area since the flooding

There are several immediate needs in my hometown. This includes food and clothing. If you have anything that you want to donate, you can bring it to house and I will take it down as soon as I can get into the area. Clothing is an immediate need. Cleaning supplies are also severely needed, as well boots. If you are in a position to make a money donation please go to this website to donate

http://www.redcross-semn.org/index.php

Here is a list of the damage according to my family:

*The levee over flowed right next to the sewage treatment plant- there is no water available for drinking, cooking or bathing.

*There is no electricity or phone service - lines were destroyed as well as the electric company that serves 3 counties (also where my dad works.)

*The entire fleet of school buses were destroyed and the school was flooded.

*When the school flooded it leaked diesel fuel into the flood waters.

*The farm elevator flooded leaking fertilizer and pesticides into the flood water.

*A sheep farm and a turkey farm were both flooded, killing most of the animals- their carcasses floating through town and homes.

*City hall, housed inside the library, is flooded.

*Both banks in town flooded, no one can access their money.

*Over 200 cars were completely covered and cannot be driven.

*The newspaper is completely destroyed.

*The only grocery store is flooded and closed.

both gas stations flooded, the nearest gas station and grocery story are 30 miles away, but many roads and bridges are washed out along the way

*The post office is flooded and closed, those who are able to get around can pick up their mail in the next town if they can get there the firehouse flooded.

*People are not allowed inside the town without a national guard escort, those who drive in without passes or escorts are having their licenses removed- most people have been allowed one accompanied trip into their homes to collect clothing. There is a 7pm curfew- folks are not allowed in or out after that.

*The Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic and 2 Lutheran churches flooded.

*The entire trailer court flooded, over the tops of the trailers, everything is lost for those families- like most in town they did not have flood insurance.

*The red cross shelter provided shelter to over 100 people last night and is feeding most of the town.

As more photos and news come out of Rushford, I become increasingly unable to believe what has happened. I was originally shocked, but as more information becomes available, it is getting harder and harder to focus on life here, as my heart is in Rushford. It is surreal to see people I know on TV and to see footage of my school, church and family's homes destroyed. That place is so much a part of who I am and it is hard to believe that it will most likely never be the same. I alternate between being grateful that my family is safe and being wracked with guilt that I am not there to help. I worry that the worst is not over, considering the lack of basic necessities and toxic water that is flowing everywhere. At times it fills me with despair, knowing that most of those affected were struggling to get by before this happened. I keep thinking... how do you rebuild an entire town, entire lives... and entire way of life? Those of you from small towns, who have family in the village and who have tight knit communities know that no matter how long you are gone, how far you go or what life you choose.... that place and those people are always with you. It is your home and right now I am striving to cope with the fact that my home has been devastated.

I do ask for you to help in any way you can... these are my people so please do what you can and give what you can.

Amanda L. Ziebell-Finley