It’s not just in major disasters that make primetime television where we are responding.
On Monday, August 20, the rural area west of Madison, Wisconsin experienced record rainfall of over 15in. The Black Earth Creek rose by at least 12ft, causing pretty severe flooding in Mazomanie, Black Earth, Cross Plains, and parts of Middleton/Verona. The town of Black Earth was nearly cut off because two bridges washed away.
Many neighbors have been taking care of each other, and we have been supporting how we can: shoveling mud out of basements, gutting and cleaning up flooded homes and a childcare center. And getting respirators, Tyvek suits, and other personal safety gear to locals.
In the words of Wisconsin locals: “This has been heartbreaking and heartwarming,” and “Wow… grateful and awed”. Once again, in a time of tragedy, people are shaking off a sense of powerlessness and opening up spaces in the community and in their hearts where more is possible.
A lot of cleanup happened really fast. But people still need: generators (and cords), pressure washers, shop vacs, fans & dehumidifiers.
To see video of the flooding in Wisconsin, click here. Or read about it here.
Meanwhile, over a thousand miles south, Houston hosted the People’s Tribunal on #Harvey Recovery, focusing on four different tracks: Housing, Environmental Justice, Immigration, and Labor. See live-stream of the event here. The #PeoplesTribunal reminds us all that recovery is a long path, and that justice must be at the center of any and every recovery effort.
Also, out of Houston, our friends at West Street Recovery just finished their second zine, documenting lessons learned in their recovery efforts. Check it out here!
Yours in resilience and resistance,
– Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
