Crooksville Residents Begin Flood Recovery With Help From Community Volunteer

Interviewed by WHIZ reporter Gabe Hutton

CROOKSVILLE, Ohio — Residents in Crooksville are beginning the difficult process of recovering after severe flooding earlier this week left multiple homes damaged and families facing significant losses.

The aftermath has forced some residents to remove nearly everything from their homes, with damaged belongings being taken to the dump. For families already dealing with the emotional impact of the flooding, the cleanup has added another layer of stress.

Crooksville resident Kaitlyn Rodgers said the situation has been especially difficult for her family, which includes four children. “It’s been very stressful. I can’t even describe exactly how I feel,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said her family was rescued from their home and is currently staying with a friend while they begin the recovery process. She expressed her appreciation for the people who have stepped up to help with demolition and cleanup.

“It’s literally just amazing,” Rodgers said. “We literally have a whole community out there helping.”

That community support has brought volunteers from across the area to Crooksville, helping residents remove damaged belongings, clean out homes and begin the rebuilding process.

Barbara Thorne, a volunteer with Huddy’s Home Improvement, said her group recently helped a family whose home had very few belongings that could be salvaged.

“We took everything out of their house where there were very few salvageable items,” Thorne said.

Thorne added that helping the community is a way for local businesses to give back to the people who support them.

“This is the community that keeps us afloat, keeps us going and driving in our business,” Thorne said. “So, we decided to come down and help everybody else out and give back.”

Local food business Z & C’s Grub on Wheels also joined the recovery efforts by providing food and water to those affected.

Owner Michael Cross said he knew many people in the area had lost everything and wanted to do whatever he could to help.

“I know a lot of people and a lot of them lost everything,” Cross said. “So at least I could come out and make sure they got food and water.”

For residents dealing with the aftermath, the recovery is expected to take time. But with volunteers, local businesses and neighbors working together, the Crooksville community is taking steps toward rebuilding.

As cleanup and recovery efforts continue, additional events and opportunities to support flood victims are expected to take place in the area.