In late summer of 2024 a flood hit the Tioga County. Particularly hard hit was Westfield and the surrounding area. For over a year many residents affected by the flood have been displaced from their homes. They are living in hotels, campers, and with friends. After assessing the damage a year ago and “mucking out” all the mud and debris the floodwaters brought into the homes, the rebuilding began. As many of you know, it is a slow process. Those who are hoping to get into their homes, sooner rather than later, struggle with the long wait.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the area that is most affected and see for myself the homes that are in need. One home had a work team from the United Church of Christ in the Frederick, Maryland area. They had successfully pulled out all the walls saturated with water which had created black mold and were beginning to work on the floors that had been damaged as well. Their goal for the week was to get the house ready for the next crew to come in and do plumbing and electrical work so that insulation and dry wall could be installed. Again, it is a slow process – one step at a time.
There are many other homes in need of repair. Some won’t require as much work as this particular home, some that will also need to be gutted, and some that need debris and overgrowth removed from the outside.
Work teams are needed. All skill levels are needed. Christmas is coming. Let’s put some families back in their homes for Christmas.
For more information you can call Sara Shaver, Disaster Relief/Volunteers in Mission Coordinator at the conference office (717-766-5376) or Kristin Hamilton, Executive Director of the Tioga County Development at khamilton@developtioga.org, 570-723-8232.
Rev. Sara Shaver
