Rapid Response Deployment to Piedmont, MO on Hold

Since Thursday, dramatic rises have occurred in the rivers within the states of Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas.

Update March 27, 2008

To quote a sentence from Rich Crook, the only thing certain about a disaster, is that nothing is certain.

The ACO in Piedmont had many volunteers coming by Saturday to help clean-up, as well as some recommendations from Department of Agriculture. Therefore, she is going to assess the shelter after clean-up is complete, and see what is needed for reconstruction. Further, Prima Mosi our team leader, based on experience from the 2005 hurricanes, advised that it was likely at least two weeks after clean-up would be needed to dry the place out. We will keep you advised, and thank you for all that responded.

Rich has also been in contact with authorities in flood areas, and most are quiet or seem capable of handling the situation at this time, but we will let you know if the situation changes.

Update March 25, 2008

The situation in Piedmont, Missouri, has been reactivated. I am looking for certified volunteers to deploy around the dates surrounding Friday March 28 through Saturday April 5. Due to the week delay, I am asking you to re-state your availability for the new dates. Primo Mosi, our Texas RR coordinator, is leading this team, and I will work closely with her on choosing the volunteers who respond. Please talk to us before deploying, and consult the email sent to RR coordinators and roster members for further details. THANK YOU!

Marti - marti4animals@yahoo.com

Update March 24, 2008:

Forecasters issued a flash flood warning through Monday morning for communities along the White River in Arkansas, even though the skies are clear. The Yahoo News Article indicates the governor has declared 35 counties a disaster area. There is also mention of flooding in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio.

The town of Des Arc, Arkansas is on alert.

Again, if you are registered with Rapid Response and are available to deploy, please contact Marti as mentioned below, and organize your deployment resources.

Update March 23, 2008:

There have been emails circulating that the animals shelters in West Frankfort and Benton, Illinois have been flooded and need assistance. The animal shelter in Sallisaw, OK, was also flooded.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and work with authorities to determine if and when we can go in to assist in these areas.

CNN Update on Valley Park and Eureka, MO, and Meremac River

MSNBC Update on Valley Park

Chicago Tribune Eureka Still Threatened

Friday Flood Update from the Benton Evening News

CNN Map of Flooded Areas

CNN Arkansas Flood Pictures

Fox News Photo Essay Missouri Flooding

Chicago Tribune Photo Gallery on Flooding

How You Can Help:

Do NOT deploy without permission! We care very much for the safety of all our volunteers, and will let you know when it is safe to go in, and in which ways you can help.

Things you can do NOW include:

Deployment Team: Review your Rapid Response resources forum and training materials for supplies you may need. Be sure your contact information is accurate, and if there is a question, email Marti at the bottom of this form. If you are not yet a network member, join the Best Friends network, join this community, and set your alerts ON.

Support functions: Post updates or send via email any updates you receive on shelters or rescues needing assistance in these areas. If you are in a position to donate supplies, please let us know what resources you have and where those resources are located.

You may contribute to the Best Friends Network Rescue Fund (link to the right of most network web pages). If desired, ear mark funds for the 2008 Flood Disasters.

Update Match 20, 2008 evening

The situation with the weather has put us in a holding pattern. The latest information from Yahoo news is here.

We are still asking volunteers to email us of their interest in participating, but deployment may not be immediate. We will keep you updated!

Update March 20, 2008 morning

Here is a news video.

Piedmont Animal Control Shelter
115 W Green Street; Piedmont, MO 63957
The ACO is named Cibele

The town of Piedmont, Missouri was evacuated due to flooding, the Missouri Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Meanwhile, NewsChannel 5 has learned that parts of the town were without water. Floodwater knocked out a bridge which carried one of the main water lines.

According to the state patrol, most people in town have evacuated to friends and relatives who live on higher ground. No shelter has been set up for those put out of their homes.

Most roadways have flooded, including Highway 34 east of town and Highway V to the south. All the rivers and creeks have flooded out of their banks. Access to Piedmont is only available from the north. Poplar Bluff has received six inches of rain and state police said comparable amounts were expected in Piedmont.

Original Deployment Request:

Rapid Response Team - We have a situation in Piedmont, Missouri, with a small rural shelter in a crisis situation due to the flooding. They were under 4-5 feet of water. The animals that survived the initial event have already been evacuated to St. Louis by the Humane Society.

What we need, is 3-4 people who can lend their expertise to an overwhelmed ACO, who must do substantial clean-up, inventory, and repair before the city will permit her to re-open to receive animals. Deployment is estimated to be approximately one weeks time, starting in a few days. Prima Mosi, our Texas deployment coordinator, is trying to clear her schedule to lead this team. I may join her for a few days next week depending on her assessment once she gets to Piedmont.

The closest airport is St. Louis to the north by approximately 135 miles. Memphis, TN is approximately 200 miles south of Piedmont.

Do not deploy yet - just notify me first if you can deploy, and your available days. Since this isn't the easiest place to get to, and as we only need a handful of individuals, we will be looking at the people closest who have availability. Rich further requests that only people with their FEMA certifications on file, as well as having signed an RR waiver, be deployed. If you have those items, but have not sent them in, we can arrange to have you fax them in.

Yahoo Related News Article

CNN Related News Article

Marti Lombardi
marti4animals@yahoo.com
National Volunteer Coordinator Rapid Response

Pictured is the animal shelter in Piedmont, Missouri, on March 19, 2008