This story was written by American Red Cross disaster volunteer Pat Pannett.
State Senators Edward O’Neill and Francis Maher, Jr., volunteers with the Red Cross disaster assessment team survey a submerged residence in the devastated Hope Valley Wyoming area of Richmond, RI.
It’s called Hope Valley, and the residents of the Hope Valley Wyoming have shown great resiliency and not lost their sense of hope and optimism in the face of dire circumstances.
On the afternoon of April 2, members of the Red Cross disaster assessment team (including two State Senators) travelled with Hope Valley Wyoming Fire District and Rhode Island National Guard to survey an area that was heavily hit by the March floods in the state.
The affected area in Richmond, Rhode Island was heavily flooded, and the only way in and out of this community of 80 homes was by crossing a road covered by more than a foot of water. Fortunately, the National Guard ‘deuce and a half” cargo truck was designed to cross areas where even Humvees were not be able to traverse. At one point, the team traversed a road flooded with more than three feet of water.
Some residents of the area have not been able to leave for more than a week, and this effort was critical to deliver water and assess the community which was so severely damaged.
All of the residents encountered were in good spirits, which in light of their situation was no small feat. The sight of the Red Cross, fire department and National Guard was enough to give them hope that their period of isolation was coming to an end.
Gladys Duffy chats with Red Cross and National Guard workers at her home in Richmond, RI after the disaster assessment team checked in on her.
The community was constructed in an area that was mined for gravel used in the construction of I-95, leading to a hilly community with many peaks and valleys, but everyone seemed affected in some way, with many homes having hosepipes draining water from the basement.
Because the disaster assessment team was able to survey this area, the Red Cross and local government will be able to provide the residents of the Hope Valley area with the help they need to get back on their feet.
