WAITSBURG–The Waitsburg Christian Church on Main Street is the emergency response center. The church is open 24 hours, every day for those who need a place to stay, need bottled water, food and other resources. Use the front access on Main Street. For more information contact Pastor Matthew Wyatt at 916-622-9932.
The School District Superintendent Mark Pickle and School Counselor Rosy Nechodom can help with school-aged children affected by the flood. The school can provide free breakfast and lunch, help with transportation, counseling support and personal items such as shoes, clothes and books.
The school district has also opened up showers for those in need. Available 3:15-5:15 p.m. Contact person for this necessity is Administrative Assistant Denise Winnett at 509-337-6351 during school hours; Gabe Kiefel at 509-240-4878 after 3:15 p.m. Access to washers and dryers is also available at the school.
Children can be affected by the flood and show signs of trauma in different ways. Nechodom says it is best to get children back into school to establish a normal routine. However, if parents notice different behavior, talk with children and if additional support is needed, Nechodom recommends contacting her for this resource at 509-520-6875.
Debris from cleanup can be dropped off at the city yard located on the corner of First and Main streets. Please do not drop off construction materials, entire trees or loose materials that will blow away.
Other community recovery resource contacts and help is available by contacting the following individuals: Meals for those affected and hardworking volunteers: Margie Benson, 509-629-2988; Heavy equipment and tool-sharing system: Bryan Martin, 509-629-2300; Support for affected families, childcare, laundry, cleaning and more, Joy Smith, 509-539-8773; Pickup trucks or trailers for sandbag pickup, KC Kuykendall, 509-396-1460.