LEVASY, Mo. — It's been more than a week and several Levasy, Missouri, residents are still staying with family and friends, as they wait for the waters to recede.
Lynette Morris, who's had a home in Levasy for 23 years, said she hasn't experienced flooding like this before.
"We've always had flooding in Levasy, and I've always watched the gauge to see, and I kind of know where the water's going to be at certain levels," Morris said. "But [I] never dreamed it would be as high as it is."
Morris was evacuated by boat, only able to take a bag of her personal items with her.
"I took one bag , thinking 'Oh, I'll just be gone overnight and I'll be able to come back in.' And I brought one bag with me," Morris said. "Just think about walking out of your house and taking one bag and that's all you can save. Think about the things that are very, very important and that you cherish, because I've lost almost everything."
The shelter, hosted at the United Methodist Church in Buckner, Missouri, closed Monday as the last family left. Many who were staying at the shelter are now staying with family and friends, waiting for the water to fully recede.
"As the week progressed, you could see that the bewilderment and the wonder of what to do became more of a worry for the parents," United Methodist Pastor Linda Wansing said. "And soon you started seeing that also picked up with the kids. So as a pastor it just broke my heart. I think it would for any human being."
While there were times of frustration and worry, there were also a few laughs shared with residents and volunteers.
"That's been a real joy for me," Wansing said. "To see some of the families begin laughing, that made me feel really good. Because there wasn't any laughter Saturday and Monday, but as the week progressed, people began to laugh a little bit."
Nearby churches in Buckner, Sibley and Levasy, are in the Minister Alliance. The group will meet Wednesday evening to discuss what future items and resources Levasy residents will need down the road.
The cleanup process is going to take some time.
"The floorboards have to come out, the dry wall has to come out, the insulation has to come out. Everything comes out of the house, so basically it's a gut of the house," Morris said. "Put new insulation in, new dry wall, new floorboards in, if the structure will stand it -- the structure may not stand it. I know on my house , the floors are already buckling."
Morris, church leaders and other volunteers said they've been in awe of the amount of donations and help they've received from people who weren't impacted.
"The outpouring of support from people, just acquaintances, has been amazing. People have called me from all over, checking to make sure I'm safe," Morris said. "Because I really didn't know the kind of friends that I have. And I have wonderful, wonderful friends "
Wansing said in the next coming weeks, more resources and items will be needed.
"Two weeks, four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks down the road, those needs are still there," Wansing said. "And in many ways, their needs are greater because not only do they need cleaning supplies, they need hands, they need feet to come in and help them."
KSHB has partnered with the Red Cross to help flood and tornado victims. For more information, click here.
—
