Only a High School Student, Courtney captures what the aftermath of the storm was like very well:
Showing posts with label summer 2009 storm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer 2009 storm. Show all posts
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
More Pictures and video from Gowanda
Carrie uploaded quite a few pictures from her two trips with us to Gowanda.
Here is a slideshow of them.
Here is a slideshow of them.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
YouTube - Why BonaResponds is needed
YouTube - Why BonaResponds is needed: "A brief video showing what it is like when we scout a house. This is from Gowanda. It shows the process and also hints at the enormity of the task and why volunteers are needed."
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hundreds of pictures from Gowanda today
Here is the whole set--although I still have one camera's worth left! Many good pictures, but so so much good work! Excellent work everyone. You really were impressive!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
What to bring?
To work in Gowanda:
Boots
Sunblock
Gloves
Cameras
cellphone
(here is a list from past trips which I suggest you look at to at least gauge what you might want.)
If you have a BonaResponds shirt, we'd love you to wear it.
We will have PB and Jelly and some water but you probably want to bring food as well for lunch on Friday.
Water is in short supply there so let's not be a burden and bring our own water.
We will provide food on Sat Night and Sunday AM.
If you are staying Saturday night, obviously bring toiletries, sleeping bag, etc. The living quarters will be very basic (but honestly that makes it more fun).
We will be bringing:
Shovles, sump pumps, extension cords, lights, a chain saw, gutting equipment.
Boots
Sunblock
Gloves
Cameras
cellphone
(here is a list from past trips which I suggest you look at to at least gauge what you might want.)
If you have a BonaResponds shirt, we'd love you to wear it.
We will have PB and Jelly and some water but you probably want to bring food as well for lunch on Friday.
Water is in short supply there so let's not be a burden and bring our own water.
We will provide food on Sat Night and Sunday AM.
If you are staying Saturday night, obviously bring toiletries, sleeping bag, etc. The living quarters will be very basic (but honestly that makes it more fun).
We will be bringing:
Shovles, sump pumps, extension cords, lights, a chain saw, gutting equipment.
Donations to Gowanda
TO DONATE:
Donations of water, food, and furniture will be accepted 12-5 (times may change) at the Elementary School on Aldrich. Heather will be in charge.
Things most needed:
What are needs? You tell us. (This is for people affected by the flood to ask. There are no guarantees but if your request is known, there is more of a chance of getting it.)
PLEASE go light on clothes. In every disaster I have been at an overabundance of clothes have been donated. Most of them have been thrown out and all of them have taken much time for volunteers.
there will be changes in this in a few minutes. THIS LINK WILL REMAIN AND BE UPDATED.
Donations of water, food, and furniture will be accepted 12-5 (times may change) at the Elementary School on Aldrich. Heather will be in charge.
Things most needed:
- Bottled water
- Linens (I guess sheets?)
- Furniture
- Appliance (Washers and dryers esp)
- SOME? clothes.
What are needs? You tell us. (This is for people affected by the flood to ask. There are no guarantees but if your request is known, there is more of a chance of getting it.)
PLEASE go light on clothes. In every disaster I have been at an overabundance of clothes have been donated. Most of them have been thrown out and all of them have taken much time for volunteers.
there will be changes in this in a few minutes. THIS LINK WILL REMAIN AND BE UPDATED.
National Guard addressing water crisis in Gowanda - ObserverToday.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - Dunkirk | The Observer
National Guard addressing water crisis in Gowanda - ObserverToday.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - Dunkirk | The Observer:
More later including this:
and quotes from State Senator Cathy Young who believes the storm is bad enough to warrant Federal aid.
"'As everybody knows, the water system here in Gowanda has been severely compromised, and not helped by a fire to one of the homes just a couple of hours ago,' Paterson began. 'The local reservoirs have overtopped and have severely reduced the amount of available water that is here. The sewer system has been damaged, the mayor reports that hundreds of homes have been damaged, the police department and municipal buildings have received damage, the Tri-County Hospital has been evacuated and closed as of early Monday morning and it will remain closed for some period of time.'
The damages found in Erie and Cattaraugus counties that Paterson eluded to have been roughly estimated at around $19 million, $7 million shy of the federal threshold for disaster relief aid. Despite the rough estimate, Paterson said he believes the $26 million worth of damage required could come from the Gowanda area alone."
More later including this:
"To aid in water distribution and cleanup duties, the National Guard has been called in. Forty National Guard soldiers and 14 heavy duty pieces of equipment were deployed on Panther Drive in Gowanda early Wednesday afternoon to begin their work."
and quotes from State Senator Cathy Young who believes the storm is bad enough to warrant Federal aid.
BonaResponds in the OTH
From the Olean Times Herald:
"BonaResponds will set up a camp at the Gowanda Fire Hall Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers are needed to help with the cleanup of the village of Gowanda. BonaResponds is also looking for people with trucks to help transport tools from Olean to Gowanda. More information can be found on the BonaResponds Web site, bonaresponds.org."
Catching up the news from Gowanda
So many things happening that it is impossible to keep up, but some things of note.
* Getting volunteers has been more challenging than expected. I guess people do not want to give up a summer weekend. Not sure but it is disappointing. Remember it is open to everyone. So if you are reading this, you qualify :) (if under 18, need a parent's signature on the waiver form)
* I was impressed that a trampoline ended up several blocks down the street until I heard of a camper still missing and a truck floated nearly 2 miles down the creek.
* Water is a problem. It caused the problems first, now a long term problem. With limited reservoir capacity and quickly emptying supplies, trucking in water is at best inefficient. I hear they did get the old wells working today but are concerned they won't last since the pumps are so old. Fingers are crossed!
* Spoke with a few residents today who were not familiar with mold. If you have drywall that got wet, be very careful. I had one tell me today it was ok since she had wiped it off the front of the wall. The problem is that the drywall (sheetrock) gets wet straight through. Add that to insulation behind the wall, and you have an environment that is nearly perfect for mold growth.
For more, see this from Texas A&M, or from the EPA, or this from forest products that is very well done.
* Hot or cold? Clean-up would be horrible in the cold, but mold growth would be inhibited.
* Dust is a big problem. An idea from Cedar Rapids Iowa after their flooding that should be used in Gowanda: spraying the roads with water. I spoke with a friend tonight who said that the Little Valley Race track has a tanker like that. If not use oil tankers (for crushed stone streets) filled with water. It will at least help keep dust down.
* It petrifies me the number of residents who have said they have had "shocks" when unplugging appliances etc. Turn the electricity off before working on the house. Please.
* Walking around town with Bill Driscoll of HODR reminded me how good HODR is. They will be checking early next week but it looks unlikely that they will be coming.
* Has anyone tried getting any of the Sabres or Bills down? It would be good for morale and would get more press coverage.
* Parents, PLEASE have your children wear shoes.
* I have not seen (which does not mean they are not there) but anyone giving out tetanus shots. Make sure you have had one. ESPECIALLY if you get ANY cut/scratch/etc. It is NOT something to play around with.
* Have had several "special" moments already. One was when I sent out a request for volunteers and heard back from Mark and Ken who we had helped build a house for last year. This time they want to give back and are volunteering this time around.
* I know there is a clothing collection. I hope it goes better than after Katrina. There were piles of clothes being thrown out on many street corners. (if it does happen again, there are places that will recycle the clothes).
* Speaking of collections, I have heard from two people (and will be contacting a third) about furniture donations. Not sure on how to give out, but stay tuned.
* Unlike in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama etc, everyone has heard of Bonaventure. Indeed I have been amazed at how many people I have run into that I know. Even Janey who went with us to Pearlington MS.
* We will be working Fri-Sun. Most of us will probably be wearing brown. If you see any of us, feel free to come up and tell us of other jobs. Or better, come volunteer with us!
* Saying "We can't help you" is the hardest thing I do. It won't happen too often if we get enough volunteers. Volunteer and get your friends to as well!
You can follow all of our Storm updates on our blog and by twitter.
* Getting volunteers has been more challenging than expected. I guess people do not want to give up a summer weekend. Not sure but it is disappointing. Remember it is open to everyone. So if you are reading this, you qualify :) (if under 18, need a parent's signature on the waiver form)
* I was impressed that a trampoline ended up several blocks down the street until I heard of a camper still missing and a truck floated nearly 2 miles down the creek.
* Water is a problem. It caused the problems first, now a long term problem. With limited reservoir capacity and quickly emptying supplies, trucking in water is at best inefficient. I hear they did get the old wells working today but are concerned they won't last since the pumps are so old. Fingers are crossed!
* Spoke with a few residents today who were not familiar with mold. If you have drywall that got wet, be very careful. I had one tell me today it was ok since she had wiped it off the front of the wall. The problem is that the drywall (sheetrock) gets wet straight through. Add that to insulation behind the wall, and you have an environment that is nearly perfect for mold growth.
For more, see this from Texas A&M, or from the EPA, or this from forest products that is very well done.
* Hot or cold? Clean-up would be horrible in the cold, but mold growth would be inhibited.
* Dust is a big problem. An idea from Cedar Rapids Iowa after their flooding that should be used in Gowanda: spraying the roads with water. I spoke with a friend tonight who said that the Little Valley Race track has a tanker like that. If not use oil tankers (for crushed stone streets) filled with water. It will at least help keep dust down.
* It petrifies me the number of residents who have said they have had "shocks" when unplugging appliances etc. Turn the electricity off before working on the house. Please.
* Walking around town with Bill Driscoll of HODR reminded me how good HODR is. They will be checking early next week but it looks unlikely that they will be coming.
* Has anyone tried getting any of the Sabres or Bills down? It would be good for morale and would get more press coverage.
* Parents, PLEASE have your children wear shoes.
* I have not seen (which does not mean they are not there) but anyone giving out tetanus shots. Make sure you have had one. ESPECIALLY if you get ANY cut/scratch/etc. It is NOT something to play around with.
* Have had several "special" moments already. One was when I sent out a request for volunteers and heard back from Mark and Ken who we had helped build a house for last year. This time they want to give back and are volunteering this time around.
* I know there is a clothing collection. I hope it goes better than after Katrina. There were piles of clothes being thrown out on many street corners. (if it does happen again, there are places that will recycle the clothes).
* Speaking of collections, I have heard from two people (and will be contacting a third) about furniture donations. Not sure on how to give out, but stay tuned.
* Unlike in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama etc, everyone has heard of Bonaventure. Indeed I have been amazed at how many people I have run into that I know. Even Janey who went with us to Pearlington MS.
* We will be working Fri-Sun. Most of us will probably be wearing brown. If you see any of us, feel free to come up and tell us of other jobs. Or better, come volunteer with us!
* Saying "We can't help you" is the hardest thing I do. It won't happen too often if we get enough volunteers. Volunteer and get your friends to as well!
You can follow all of our Storm updates on our blog and by twitter.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
More pictures and a video from Gowanda
Click on the picture to to be taken to over a hundred pictures from Gowanda and locally following the storm and at least one video. More to upload:Assessing the damage in Gowanda and new pictures
BonaResponds and HODR went to Gowanda to assess the damage. The findings? About 250 homes were damaged.
We will be setting up camp Friday-Sunday in Gowanda to help. We are in desperate need of volunteers as well the use of a pickup truck to haul our supplies.
See BonaResponds.org for much more info.
Here is the whole set of pictures (or at least the ones I have uploaded so far).
We will be setting up camp Friday-Sunday in Gowanda to help. We are in desperate need of volunteers as well the use of a pickup truck to haul our supplies.
See BonaResponds.org for much more info.
Here is the whole set of pictures (or at least the ones I have uploaded so far).
Monday, August 10, 2009
Updated pictures from Gowanda
More pictures from Gowanda. The mud is incredible. From Emily's uncle (John Walgus)
MAIN STREET
* I was surprised to see that the US Post Office delivering the mail!
* Karla- Len was with me when I took these, most roads are closed in and out of Gowanda because of washed out roads and collapsed bridges.
* Power and email are sketchy so I am trying to send these quickly.
Another storm is heading this way.
John
Larry Orsini speaking on BonaResponds Gowanda
Larry Orsini scouted Gowanda for BonaResponds today.
He reported back that there is much work for us to do in the area.
Come work with us! This Fri-Sat (Aug 14-16th). You will be glad you did! While it is hard work, it will be the best thing you have done for yourself and for others in a while.
See BonaResponds.org for more info.
He reported back that there is much work for us to do in the area.
Come work with us! This Fri-Sat (Aug 14-16th). You will be glad you did! While it is hard work, it will be the best thing you have done for yourself and for others in a while.
See BonaResponds.org for more info.
BonaResponds Gowanda includes sign up form
BonaResponds will be helping in Gowanda. A small crew will go over for the Day on Friday. Then another crew (canbe the same people) will be there Saturday and Sunday helping the area recover from storm damage.
Work will include hauling debris to the curb, cleaning out basements, cutting up downed trees, cleaning out and gutting homes, shoveling mud.
Open to all.
Sign up here:
at BonaResponds.org (within the hour this should be fixed) or email BonaResponds@sbu.edu
Free. Bring a Lunch for Friday. Leaving SBU at 10, back by 7:00.
Saturday: leaving 10AM, returning 6pm on Sunday. Meals will be provided on Sat and Sunday.
While simple meals provided. Might want to bring granola bars etc.
We need drivers.
We are accepting food donations.
Will also accept money.
Bring work clothes, gloves, sleeping bags, water bottle.
if you are going to work with us you must fill out the waiver form on the main BonaResponds.org site.
many more details will follow in next few days. This is JUST evolving as I type.
Work will include hauling debris to the curb, cleaning out basements, cutting up downed trees, cleaning out and gutting homes, shoveling mud.
Open to all.
Sign up here:
at BonaResponds.org (within the hour this should be fixed) or email BonaResponds@sbu.edu
Free. Bring a Lunch for Friday. Leaving SBU at 10, back by 7:00.
Saturday: leaving 10AM, returning 6pm on Sunday. Meals will be provided on Sat and Sunday.
While simple meals provided. Might want to bring granola bars etc.
We need drivers.
We are accepting food donations.
Will also accept money.
Bring work clothes, gloves, sleeping bags, water bottle.
if you are going to work with us you must fill out the waiver form on the main BonaResponds.org site.
many more details will follow in next few days. This is JUST evolving as I type.
More pictures from Gowanda
Emily sent along the following pictures from the Gowanda area.
Seems like it was hit the hardest. {NOTE NAMES CHANGED}
Seems like it was hit the hardest. {NOTE NAMES CHANGED}
" The Pic of the brown car is the neighbors car that was in their garage. It slammed into Sally'ss
house and their garage is gone.
The Pic of the silver car is Sally's car. I found it a few houses down the street in some bushes.
The lights are on I don't know why. It seems that all the cars that were washed away
have their lights on. I tried to start it, just for the hell of it, but it wouldn't. I don't know
what I would have done if it did it is stuck in the mud and all kinds of tree limbs/branches
in the wheel wells, the mud up to the dash board.
Most of the village on the Cattaraugus county side was hit pretty bad. There was a fire truck
stalled downtown in front of the Post Office, water running right thru it.
We are all OK a little wet and dirty but OK. I know one man didn't make it.
I am not sure what happened, I think he had a heart attack and the ambulance couldn't
get to him.
We received just over 4 inches of rain in a very short time. I tried to take a girt home to the other
side of the village but I couldn't make it so she will stay with us. There was water coming over
the main bridge. I don't know yet if the river in town came over the banks yet or if it was just run off.
Thatcher brook was the main culprit. The bridge on US 62 just south of town is gone, and the bridge
on Hill street is pretty shaky, I went like hell going over it. It was the only way I could get back to my
house. I had to put the truck in 4X4 to get down some of the streets because of the
dirt, mud, tree limbs and rocks.
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