CLYDE, N.C. – Volunteers helping with cleanup efforts in Haywood County are bracing for more possible floods caused by Tropical Depression Ida.
What You Need To Know
More than 220 volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse have helped with the disaster response in Haywood County since Tropical Depression Fred
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for most counties in the mountains
Volunteer Terry Simpson says he’s ready to continue helping with disaster relief if it’s needed.
Terry Simpson, a volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse, has been helping families clean up since Tropical Depression Fred dumped heavy rain and caused major flooding along the Pigeon River.
“It’s an adrenaline rush at times when you see things get accomplished,” Simpson said as he helped a homeowner in Clyde. “It’s like this pile of stuff, we’ll know this out and we’ll get this done.”
Simpson is working long hours away from his family in Florida to help people save as many precious belongings as they can.
“They see what we’re accomplishing,” Simpson said. “I couldn’t ask for better support from my family.”
So far, he’s helped about a dozen other families in a neighborhood along the Pigeon River in Clyde.
“It’s great to walk up and down the street and people know you by name and you know them by name too,” Simpson said. “You’re like one of their family and a good neighbor.”
Haywood County remains under a Flash Flood Watch as remnants of Tropical Depression Ida pass over the Tar Heel state. Simpson is bracing for what could happen to communities that are still reeling from the impact of Tropical Depression Fred.
“With the potential threat of more rain and more flooding,” Simpson said. “You can only imagine what’s going through people’s heads as they’re trying to get a handle of what just happened [with Fred].”
Simpson and other Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are hoping for the best. But if they have to come back and do it all over again, they say they will.
“It’s work, there’s no doubt about it, but to be able to come in and help bring hope to those that are desperately in need…it makes it all worthwhile,” Simpson said.
More than 220 volunteers with Samaritan's Purse have helped with the disaster response in Haywood County since Tropical Depression Fred. They also have "thousands more from across the country" ready to help if they're needed.