For one mother and her paraplegic son, faith and muscle are working hand-in-hand to get them home by Easter.
Flooding caused by recent storms in Navarro County left Sherilon Lindsey’s home uninhabitable for her and her son, Andy. They are temporarily living with her daughter.
The Lindseys are one of more than 24 families who became victims when heavy rains caused creeks in the area to overflow. Floodwaters rose nearly one foot in many homes leaving damaged walls, doors, carpet and possessions.
Moving into the damaged homes are Texas Baptist Men volunteer disaster relief clean-out teams from across the state, including units from Collin Baptist Association, Central Texas Baptist Area, Ellis Baptist Association and Sabine Neches Baptist Area.
“Not all of our volunteers are trained to do clean-out, but we do have a group of volunteers who are experienced in clean-out who do know what to do,” said Gary Smith, director of TBM Disaster Relief. “There is a narrow window of opportunity we have to get the clean-out done in. That’s the biggest challenge.”
Duane Bechtold, director of TBM’s Collin Baptist Association unit, arrived April 4 to help lead the operation. He delivered a trailer full of clean-out equipment including electric saws, wheelbarrows, shovels and carpet knives for volunteer efforts.
Sherilon’s home was one of the worst damaged so crews had to pack up furniture and other belongings, and move everything to a safe place before starting clean-out operations.
“We first go in and remove damaged sheetrock, wet carpets and other damaged items like wood floor segments,” said Steve Lamb, director of disaster relief of TBM’s Central Texas Baptist Area unit.
Trained TBM volunteers then move in to tackle the bacteria-laden environment.
“We pressure wash everything inside the house to remove dirt, mud and debris.” Bechtold said. “Then we use hand-operated hose sprayers to sanitize the house with a commercial grade disinfectant to kill bacteria, mold and mildew
Before clean-out began, Bechtold and Lamb assessed and prioritized damages. In some cases, they found that if water got into homes at any depth at all, residents lost furniture, appliances and other possessions, Lamb said. Most of the residents impacted are living with friends and family members until their homes can be cleaned out and repaired. With more rain in the forecast, there is concern more families could soon need help.
The group’s disaster relief operation is headquartered at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Corsicana where Red Cross is providing food for volunteers, Lamb noted.
