July, 1993 brought heavy rain to an already saturated Midwest. The large amo
unts of rain sent record setting crests down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Both crests met near St. Louis were the two rivers join. This flood has been called one of the worst such U.S. disasters since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. According to Wikipedia, the flood was among the most costly, and devastating to have occurred with $15 billion in damages as well as the duration of the flood, and the number of people affected.
Mike and fellow volunteer Marion Streater got less that 24 hour notice that they were needed to drive the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) from Wisnton-Salem, NC to St. Louis, MO. Driving the ERV was something neither Mike nor Marion had ever done. Mike had taken the standard ERV
training course which consisted of class lecture and a test drive around the block. Marion had not yet had time to take the course. In fact, this was her first disaster assignment. On July 14th they set off on the 700 mile journey. It was slow going at the beginning as they stopped in every town between Winston-Salem and Franfort, KY looking for boots for Marion. They knew there was a good possibility they would have to wade through some water. As it turned out. Marion only had to wear her boots once as she waded into water to get closer to people coming in on a boat.
The long drive gave them plenty of practice driving the ERV. It's something they would do plenty of over the next couple of weeks.
Tomorrow - Mike and Marion provide meals to flood victims and emergency workers.
unts of rain sent record setting crests down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Both crests met near St. Louis were the two rivers join. This flood has been called one of the worst such U.S. disasters since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. According to Wikipedia, the flood was among the most costly, and devastating to have occurred with $15 billion in damages as well as the duration of the flood, and the number of people affected.Mike and fellow volunteer Marion Streater got less that 24 hour notice that they were needed to drive the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) from Wisnton-Salem, NC to St. Louis, MO. Driving the ERV was something neither Mike nor Marion had ever done. Mike had taken the standard ERV
training course which consisted of class lecture and a test drive around the block. Marion had not yet had time to take the course. In fact, this was her first disaster assignment. On July 14th they set off on the 700 mile journey. It was slow going at the beginning as they stopped in every town between Winston-Salem and Franfort, KY looking for boots for Marion. They knew there was a good possibility they would have to wade through some water. As it turned out. Marion only had to wear her boots once as she waded into water to get closer to people coming in on a boat.The long drive gave them plenty of practice driving the ERV. It's something they would do plenty of over the next couple of weeks.
Tomorrow - Mike and Marion provide meals to flood victims and emergency workers.
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