WEST ALTON, Mo. — Friday's severe weather is only hurting some people who want to put the flooding behind them.
That's especially true for residents in West Alton who say it'll be weeks before they can even begin recovery.
"My guess right now is that they're probably 12 to 14 homes you can drive to right now… in all of West Alton," said West Alton Mayor Willie Richter.
After almost two months of showing its strength, the might of the Mississippi River is finally starting to fade. The water's going down, and the roads are slowly reopening.
But in West Alton, "all of the roads are still flooded," said Mayor Richter.
He said they have been at a standstill, stuck between rising waters and recovery efforts as they wait for everything to drain.
"It's tough, it's tough to see for everybody," Mayor Richter said. "I'm still getting my home out as we speak."
That's why the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is getting a head start.
"There's a lot of needs, there's gonna be a lot of rebuilding, a lot of people are going to need a lot of things," said Robin Shepard, a volunteer with UMCOR. "It's just a kit to kind of get them started. Unfortunately, they'll need more than this."
The organization donated about 200 recovery baskets that will be given away Saturday and Sunday to West Alton residents.
"So there's different wipes, trash bags, respirators for the mold. Unfortunately, the houses have been inundated with water for quite a bit of time."
Shepard said it's up to the region as a whole to chip in and help out.
The recovery center baskets will be given away this weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First Church of God on Richard Drive.
Anyone who wants to help can donate cleaning supplies or even cash.
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