6 days ago
OH-TF1, Matthew 25 committed to continuing Texas flood efforts
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Recovery from the deadly floods in Kerrville, Texas continues, and two groups from the Miami Valley are still on hand to assist.
Both Ohio Task Force One and Matthew 25 Ministries said their focus right now is the search for missing people and supporting the loved ones of those families.
Officials with OH-TF1 said the team is assisting in the continued search for nearly 200 people who are still reported as missing.
The task force, which deployed a specialized three-person K-9 team, is working on this joint mission with 14 other teams from across the country.
Officials said weather continues to be a concern. Task force members have battled persistent rain, lightning and flood waters as they work.
Matthew 25 Ministries is offering free laundering services, where families can drop off items at a mobile unit and pick them up cleaned in 24 hours.
They said that after a disaster, clean clothes can make a big difference in the lives of families.
'Access to clean clothing might not be the first thing that comes to mind,' said Katie Schimmoeller, director of disaster relief with Matthew 25. 'But it really is such a need for people to have that access to clean clothing and have that little bit of normalcy.'
The group said it is depending on continued support from local communities to help impacted families get through the day-to-day while they figure out their next steps.
'We responded to the Dayton tornadoes a few years ago, so we know that the community knows what it means to be a personally impacted by disaster,' said Schimmoeller. 'We're always amazed with how people continue to pay it forward that have been through challenging situations. I was really grateful for all of the support we received within the Dayton community.'
Both groups said they are committed to the long process of recovery that will happen over the next several months.
'But even once our immediate team leave the area, we will continue to work long term,' said Schimmoeller. 'We understand this will be a very long recovery effort and we are there to help the needed.'
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