From drought to flood: one year later |
 |
 |
|
Written by MICHAEL HOHENBRINK, Special to the Chronicle
|
|
Friday, 01 August 2008 01:00 |
OTTAWA—Residents of northwest Ohio remember praying to end the drought that plagued the area in the summer of 2007.
What they had not counted on was just how much water would come in answer to their prayers.
Tony J. Schroeder, owner of Kersh Insurance of Ottawa, works in the heart of downtown Ottawa, an area that was hit hard by the August 2007 flood. Months were spent on cleanup before fate struck a second time.
“We had just gotten back downstairs … six weeks earlier,” Mr. Schroeder says. The February 2008 flood proceeded to undo much of his efforts.
“We had to move everything out of harm’s way,” Mr. Schroeder says.
That roadblock was a source of frustration, but Mr. Schroeder, like his neighbors, rolled up his sleeves and settled in for the task of once again trying to recover.
“[We’re] pretty well all the way back from the February event,” Mr. Schroeder says.
It’s better than some have fared.
“A lot of my policy holders are still feeling the impact,” Mr. Schroeder adds.
Among those in that category are parishioners and students at Ottawa SS. Peter & Paul parish and school. Miraculously, the church itself was spared. SS. Peter & Paul School was not so lucky.
Both the Fourth Street and Locust Street buildings used by students were damaged, forcing students to double up with their public school counterparts at Ottawa-Glandorf, the public district. Students in grades five through eight were able to return to the parish school during the school year, but their younger brothers and sisters were not. The parish continues making repairs to the school.
Precious Blood Father Thomas Hemm, pastor of the parish, watched as the August flood waters devastated SS. Peter & Paul. The destruction united the parish, and as the waters receded volunteers turned out in droves to save what could be saved. Not only did parishioners respond but so did other area churches and the diocese.
“The diocese was very helpful,” says Fr. Hemm. “The bishop himself came out.”
Work proceeded for several months until coming to a halt when Mother Nature, once again, turned on the area. February came as a rude reminder of the river’s power.
“We had teams up all night,” says Fr. Hemm.
Initially, the August flood was viewed by many as a fluke, a 100-year incident.
“February was just a wake-up call,” says Fr. Hemm. “We realized we had to learn to live with the river.”
SS. Peter & Paul remains on track with its work plans.
“Right now, we’re in the final stages of building,” says Fr. Hemm. “The plan is for students to be in [the original buildings] in time for the start of the new school year.”
One source of assistance for both residents and the parish has been the diocese. Ursuline Sister Christine Pratt, is director of Parish Ministries and Social Concerns for Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Toledo. Her office handles disaster assistance, a concern that has surfaced especially in the last few years.
“It [disaster assistance] was really created during Hurricane Katrina,” says Sr. Pratt.
That disaster involved response from many different dioceses.
“We ended up seeing to the placement of seven families [in this diocese],” says Sr. Pratt.
With the advent of flooding last fall, having an apparatus in place proved useful as the diocese responded to needs within its boundaries.
Eight counties within the Diocese of Toledo were affected by the flood, Sr. Pratt explains. She says viewing the substantial damage to SS. Peter & Paul properties was among the most heart-breaking aspects of the flood relief. Responding to the flood involved creative responses.
“Our role is ... if you need volunteers, we [can] coordinate,” says Sr. Pratt. She insists diocesan response can take many forms and she prefers not to see a rigid approach to relief.
“We’ve done different things in different areas,” Sr. Pratt says. “We go where we’re needed, and we stay connected.”
Relief can involve anything from direct aid to helping a resident purchase a new furnace.
The Diocese of Toledo has on-the-ground representation for flood relief in three places in the diocese: Findlay, Ottawa and Mansfield. Jan Kahle, parish ministries/respect life coordinator, provides representation for the diocese in the area of Putnam County.
Among Ms. Kahle’s responsibilities is membership on the Long Term Recovery Task Force, which, nearly a year after the flood continues to meet to work on flood issues.
“Presently, the long-term group meets every other week,” says Ms. Kahle.
For Ms. Kahle, the value of a diocesan presence lies in what she is able to bring to the table, particularly with raising volunteers.
“We’re so connected with the parishes,” Ms. Kahle says.
She believes this presents a real asset because concerns and needs for the larger community can be brought before the parishes, which can then help to meet needs based on what they have available, from financial resources to old-fashioned strong backs, both of which came in handy during the August 2007 flood.
|
|
Last Updated on Friday, 07 November 2008 08:59 |
|
|
