Zena looks on as a volunteer with Operation Blessing helps remove damaged drywall.

NORFOLK, Virginia - As Zena showed an Operation Blessing team around her home, tears welled up in her eyes and she began to cry. Heavy rain that caused flash flooding in the Spartan Village area of Norfolk, Va., last week also left her with six inches of water and extensive damage to her house.

“I had no flood insurance because they told me this was not a flood zone,” said 60-year-old Zena. “My house was devastated inside.”

Flood water left her floors and lower walls ruined. Furniture and other possessions had to be thrown away.

In the 12 years she's owned her home, it had never flooded like this she said.

Zena was not the only resident of the flooded area who needed help. There were approximately 20-30 homes with water damage. Most of the victims were renters, some elderly. Like Zena, many did not have flood insurance.

OBI responded to the disaster, which occurred less than ten miles from the organization’s headquarters. Volunteer crews removed soaked floors and walls and installing new drywall.

OBI responded to the disaster, which occurred less than ten miles from the organization’s headquarters, with repair crews who removed soaked floors and walls and cleaned up the damage. The teams also provided emotional support when needed to overwhelmed and distressed residents.

“Operation Blessing volunteers seemed like family to me the moment they met me,” Zena said. “They were so nice and they did not even know me.”

Local residents could fill out work requests for help. The American Red Cross was the only other agency providing assistance.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the help of Operation Blessing, they are the only people that came to my rescue,” Zena said. “Since Operation Blessing came along, each day gets better.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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