There is a lot of hopelessness settling in for many of the local people. The shock of what happened is wearing off and the reality of their situation is hitting hard.
For most people affected, the flood also affected many of their families, friends, and neighbors. Because of this, there is a a huge need for outside help. Also, a LOT of people did not have flood insurance and are now finding it difficult to get much financial assistance from FEMA, and there was already a lot of poverty in the area.
This area has a lot of older people that worked all their lives for what they had only to watch it get washed away and destroyed in one night. It is really hard for them to process having to let go of everything they ever knew and had.
Currently, one of the biggest needs we see is for volunteers willing to give their time to help love on these people in practical ways.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13