Weiser has been hit hard this Winter. Everywhere you go there are signs of the damage this storm has done to our community. Downed sheds, barns and businesses. Vehicles stuck in the snow, people stuck in their homes, flooding, damaged roofs and many more problems to come. Despite all of this, however, if you look around, you also see signs of how incredible this little community of ours is.
This may not seem like a topic for preparedness but it is, in fact, one of the most important. Community.
Weiser, as you know, is truly a one of a kind place. As we have all seen, through this difficult time, having a network of support is paramount. It can and has saved the lives and livelihood of many in our town.
Community has always been part of how we operate. Looking around now, it is clear as to why it is so important. Community is not always about picnics in the park, parades down Main St, school programs and fundraising breakfasts, although those things are wonderful and important, it is also about helping one another when there are difficult times and when there is work to be done,
In just a few short weeks, I have seen people using their personal heavy equipment to help neighbors remove damaged and dangerous buildings, I have seen postal workers who have bruised knees, hips and even concussions from falling
so many times on the ice just to make sure we get our mail. People are checking in on our elders to be sure they are properly cared for, picking up a shovel or lending a neighbor in need some heavy winter gear. I have seen every generation out and helping their families and each other to shovel snow, clear driveways, dig out cars or minding small children so that their parents could go and help a neighbor in need. Neighbors helping neighbors, youth helping clear the roof of the very school they attend, city and government employees risking their health to make sure things are getting done that are needed to keep Weiser going.
This is Community. This is what Weiser is made of. This is why we are so special.
Moving forward here are a few reminders as things get cleaned up and life in Weiser begins to work its way back to normalcy:
-Continue to check on your neighbors, as the snow melts we will start to see a new need for flood control.
-Get snow shoveled away from foundations that have a crawl space or basement. Get snow shoveled off the roofs, especially ones that are flat or have a low pitch.
-Keep an eye on where the melting snow starts draining to. Dig channels to direct it away from buildings and animal pens.
-Prepare now for the coming flooding, start filling sandbags NOW, especially if you know that you are in the flood plane or you have had problems with flooding in the past. If you are unable to sandbag start getting your valuables packed up and off the floor or moved if you have a leaking roof.
-Use this opportunity to restock your pantries. Stock up on water, food, toiletries and necessary medications. With this amount of snow, it’s hard to predict the impact it will have on roads, rivers and local businesses that carry these items.
-Keep your thumb on the pulse of our community, if someone needs help, get to them as quickly as you can. Many hands make light work!
-Keep a special eye on our elders. They may be in need of supplies or may need help packing up some valuables to be stored elsewhere.
-Be sure your animals have an escape route if there is serious flooding. Especially for those of you near the river.
Weiser is an incredible place with extraordinary people. It has been a great joy to see everyone coming together, linking arms and taking care of each other. My thoughts and prayers are with our special community.
Keep doing what you’re doing, We may come out of this a little battered and bruised but, because we have each other, we will come out of it just fine.
As always, if you need help deciding what is most important to stock up on, where to buy sandbags or for any other reason, please feel free to email me at classes.psr@gmail.com
With knowledge, comes peace
Kristen Morton
