NCHERTFO-L Archives

Archiver > NCHERTFO > 2003-09 > 1064279706


From: Susan Graham <>
Subject: Re: [NCHERTFO-L] Relief Update
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 21:15:17 -0400
In-Reply-To: <001e01c3812d$eba2c3d0$6701a8c0@GuestRoom>


I got in touch with Wal-Mart in Ahoskie today, hoping they could possibly
be a central source for food, water, and supplies. You never know, but it
seemed a reasonable place to try. Turns out they have been giving out free
cases of water, and like the earlier email said, they do have power in
Ahoskie now along the main street, Memorial. The Wal-Mart manager said
they won't have water for much longer, and they have applied for a grant
from the Red Cross and Salvation Army, but they haven't heard anything yet.

The Wal-Mart manager said they are especially in need of trucks of ice to
distribute, and will soon need water, too. I gave her my name and phone
number in case they need anything else so I can get it out to the group. I
am very impressed with Wal-Mart for that. They ought to get credit for it.
I hope some trucks of ice get there, too.

I talked to my uncle and he says the power crews have been really fast
getting power back on, and the people in or near the towns have already
started to get power back. I'm relieved to say that my relatives are for
the most part okay. Some of them still don't have power, and there is
minor damage to their homes, but they didn't get hurt and should be getting
power back soon. Some other residents of Hertford County won't be so
lucky, and it may take two or three more weeks to get their power back.
Water and ice in Hertford County is being distributed from police stations,
fire stations, and from the Wal-Mart.

However, he said that there is a 30-mile swath along the northeast quadrant
of the storm that got the hardest hit, particularly between Colerain and
Harrellsville. Either there were some tornadoes or some really strong
bursts of wind over 100mph, and many homes are completely devastated. That
is the area that needs the most help. Chowan, Gates, Bertie, and Martin
Counties are in that area.

The radio station, Beach 104.1 has been really trying to help out, taking
calls from all over, reporting in about what has been happening and where
help is needed, and where it is available. The Greenville TV station has
been less knowledgeable, focusing their news coverage on Greenville and the
Outer Banks.

-Susan

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