Addison's Achievers: A tip of the cap to those helping clean up after flooding

On the morning of April 1, heavy rains developed in the Ohio Valley and flooding followed shortly after.

Three-to-5 inches of rain fell during that first week of the month, causing flooding, plus damage and loss of homes in certain areas.

Initially, flooding started in creeks and streams but quickly spread to the Ohio River.

"We've been cleaning up all of our mud this morning. Two feet in the shop. It's right there by the river," Brooke County resident Brad Voiers said.

"Last time we've had a crest like this was back in 2005,” Marshall County EMA Director Tom Hart said. “Of course, the second worst was 2004 when Hurricane Ivan came through so, this is the largest crest that we've had in 20 years."

"It's scary because you don't know,” Moundsville resident Bill Mentzer said. “If you get a foot or 2 feet of water in your basement, it's a big deal. It's a real big deal."

As of now, we are experiencing the second-most rainfall of all time on record in the month of April – and we are only half way through the month.

"This is the first time that I’ve known of -- I’ve seen river floods twice in 3 or 4 months, but never in my 30 years here that we have had river floods within a week of each other," Ohio County EMA Director Lou Vargo said.

Two-thousand, five-hundred people were without power at one point in Ohio and Marshall counties.

But even after the rainfall stopped for a moment, cleanup efforts were disrupted.

The second week of April brought more showers, once again flooding the river.

"last night was a real kick in the gut to us because the soccer fields had a huge cleanup done by a lot of community members took a huge hit again last night with the girls' softball field completely underwater again and really hadn't had a chance to dry out yet,” Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said.

Images of property damage plastered the internet. Families were searching for help as roads to help were closed off. Much of the Ohio Valley was looking for the light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

But it did come -- maybe not in a ray of sunshine -- but in the faces of loved ones, friends, neighbors, first responders, and even strangers.

"We had a team of people on our street helping each other," Brooke County resident Shelbie Richie said.

"Any time there is a flood of that nature, it is very difficult on residences and businesses in the flood area, but we really appreciate the help they have given our crews," Wheeling City Manager Bob Herron said.

The Brooke County Salvation Army was among many places handing out free cleaning kits. The House of the Carpenter on Wheeling Island was another.

Last Resort Riverfront Bar and Grill in Toronto was able to reopen just days after it received 16 inches of flooding, thanks to the nearly 60 people who showed up to help.

"It was amazing,” owner Dave Ott said. “We put a post on Facebook and it seemed like half the town -- half of Toronto showed up with pressure washers, squeegees [and] mops.

“We had more cleaning supplies than we could've asked for. We started in one corner and then just went to the other corner and just kept doing that all the way through the entire building. We had fans, everyone brought us industrial fans. We dried the room out, sanitized it. We were up and running by Saturday afternoon."

Donation boxes from the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club were placed in Steubenville, Weirton, Follansbee, and Wellsburg to collect food and supplies for families in need.

And in St. Clairsville, Pizza Milano donated more than 100 pizzas to families trapped by the floods.

"Well we had a lot of people that we know on Wheeling Island and South Wheeling that reached out to us and said. ‘is there any way that you can help?’ We were at home this morning and we were like how can we help? Owners Courtney and Engin Guler said.

“So, we decided we'd donate 100 pizzas, and then we thought what if other people donated and we'd also match their donation?”

Kaden Conner and his brother pumped 30 basements on Wheeling Island, and they say they would do it all over again. They say so many people have given to them throughout the years, it only felt right to give back now.

"To be able to step up and help someone in need or everybody in need on the island or wherever it might be it felt really good. "

In Wetzel County, the Magnolia High School football team came together to help the community move belongings ahead of more rain.

And none of the cleanup would be possible without our first responders.

So, this week's Addison's Achiever goes to you. Those of you who gave your time, energy, money, or patience to those in need. In times of trouble, coming together is what's most important.