Flooded with Support

By Tammy Moshier

Not by choice, but I have become somewhat of an expert on storm survival.  Texans have Harvey.  Floridians will have Irma.  My daughter and I had the 1000-Year Flood.  I often say I don’t know how I made it through, but that’s not really true.  I do know how I did it.  I didn’t do it by myself.  I was surrounded by a community who donated time and money and meals and items and advice.

Bleach and gloves and cleaning supplies

My  house was full of volunteers.  Lots and lots of people were scurrying about.  I was in a fog.  Probably in shock.  I remember people saying all the bleach was gone.  No bleach at WalMart, no bleach at Target, not even at Big Lots.  I remember not really understanding why we needed so much bleach.  Ignorance was bliss.  What I know now is that flood water is not like rain.  Rain is clean.  Flood water not so much.  I remember someone telling me that flood water was “poo” water.  If your house has been full of poo water, bleach and gloves are critical items for a donation list.  I would add brooms and dust pans, mops and mop buckets, trash cans and garbage bags to the list.  The first step after a flood is getting all the damaged items out.  It’s a soggy, dirty, smelly mess.  You can’t have enough hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, and paper towels.  Disaster clean up is nasty business.  There’s a reason why these items are always at the top of collection lists.

Hand held snacks – granola bars, packs of nuts, peel top items

Texans are in survival mode right now.  They are months and months away from anything resembling normal.  One of my favorite memories is when we moved into our temporary apartment.  We found baskets of our favorite treats.  Snickers and Almond Joys for me.  Starbursts and Skittles for my daughter.  Even treats for the big dog, Bruzer.  Any comfort is a huge comfort during crisis.

One of my lowest points was when we foolishly, against everyone’s advice, moved upstairs while they were still working downstairs.  I hadn’t set up a temporary kitchen and going to the grocery store seemed like something I did in another lifetime.  I had a cooler on the porch for necessities (Diet Coke).  For almost a week, my daughter and I went to the gas station before school started for breakfast.  I got my favorite “nab” crackers.  Laura would get a pack of cashew nuts and a water.  As you do your donation shopping, stock up on protein bars and beef jerky and cups of applesauce.  Throw in some candy that won’t melt.  Starbursts and Skittles and lollipops and Tootsie Rolls.  Everyone will appreciate having healthy snacks and some yummy treats!

Personal Hygiene Items

This makes me laugh now to think about but my first post- flood purchase was in the beauty department of the Rite Aid.  We had 10 minutes to pack before evacuation so toiletries were not a priority.  We might have grabbed a toothbrush, but that’s about it.  On that Rite Aid run,  I bought a hair brush and pony tail holders and bobby pins and deodorant.  I probably bought some lip gloss and mascara.  My first purchase was $61.  I remember that clearly.  I thought that was a lot of money.  I had no idea what was coming my way.  At first I kept a tally. When we passed the $100K mark, I quit for a while.  The expenses were staggering.  Looking back, $61 doesn’t seem so bad.

As you are shopping for our Texas friends and our Florida friends, get the basics like toothbrushes and toothpaste and dental floss and mouthwash.  Don’t forget deodorant and hair brushes and head bands and bobby pins.  Grab some chapstick and sunscreen.  Think of things you use every day as you get dressed for work.  Razors, shaving cream, soap.  Lotion and q-tips and cotton balls.  They need it all.

Blankets and Bedding and Throws

I haven’t seen this on any of the donation lists, but one of the best things we received were blankets and throws.  Blankets equal comfort.  Whether at temporary lodging or after getting settled back at home, throws and blankets offer not just physical warmth, but emotional security.  My church has a shawl ministry.  What a wonderful gift for those going through a bad time.

One of my happiest days was when I was able to sleep in my bed in my house for the first time.  I remember thinking I couldn’t be any more thankful.  I made a vow to myself never to complain about making my bed again.

Our beds are our safe spaces.  Blankets make us feel better.  As I watch the news and see Texans sleeping in shelters and furniture warehouses, I know they long for the comfort of home.  They want to be in their own bed.

I’m thankful to the ladies in shawl ministry and to the friends who gave us soft, pretty throws.  Our hurricane survivors will feel the same appreciation.  Let’s wrap them up in love and support!!!

For us, making a WalMart run and picking up on these donations isn’t a big deal.  We’ll add the items to our regular shopping order.  But, I know for certain that every purchase will be appreciated.  Texans are in the early stages when they don’t even know what they need.  But we do.  We have lived it and survived it, and we’re stronger for it.  Lots of us know all too well what is in store in the coming weeks and months.

After Hurricane Hugo, Robert Ariel did a cartoon of the SC State flag with the Palmetto tree bent by the strong winds of the hurricane.  It simply said, “Bent, not Broken.”  I had that in my house before the flood.  It was upstairs so it is safe and sound.  I loved it then, and I love it even more now.  SC got the whammy with Hugo in ’89 and then the 1000 Year Flood in 2015.

Our Texas friends are feeling very bent right now.  They think their lives are broken, but they will bounce back.  The good news is they don’t have to do it alone.  Let’s make sure of that.