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Disaster Case Managers Helping Flood Victims

Updated: 11/23/18 @ 16:18 EST
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If you still need help recovering from the June flood, assistance is available.

The Flood Recovery Project - Copper Country, created in October, will assist Copper Country residents facing long term effects from June 2018 flooding, also locally known as the Father’s Day Flood.

Marci Vivian and Dennis Leopold will staff Flood Recovery Project - Copper Country as Disaster Case Managers. They are assessing needs and stand ready, reaching out to help those affected by the Father’s Day Flood. They are also looking into enhancing counseling options specific to flooding.

“This is a commitment to holistically getting their lives back to a place of normalcy,” said the Rev. Paul Perez, of the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. “The work of disaster case management is not only material but it’s psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.”

Marci and Dennis work with the Copper Country Team Disaster Recovery Group – comprised of local church and community leaders, and nonprofit and government agencies. They also work in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR is the humanitarian disaster recovery arm of The United Methodist Church.

Their work “officially” got up and running October 5 – four months after the June 17 flood. There are still a lot of questions Vivian and Leopold are assessing in terms of the community’s needs. They plan on reaching out, at least initially, to as many people as they can.

One thing they know for sure? Lots of people still need help.

Based on their first 150 calls, and how many people registered for aid, they estimate they’ll be overseeing about 80 households for disaster case management.

“We are finding that there are people out there still not recovered,” Vivian said. “For a lot of people in the Copper Country, not everybody has the resources.”

The case managers have compiled a list of flood-impacted residents from a variety of sources and have been making calls since early October. However, they fear there are more residents out there who are still in need of help. After initial contact is made and a need is expressed, a home visit is scheduled to further assess needs.

From there, the plan is for the case managers to connect the residents-in-need to appropriate organizations and nonprofits and walk them through their full recovery process.

“The need from household to household can vary greatly, and funds will be distributed accordingly,” Leopold said.

“Because it’s getting colder, we’re looking for people without furnaces, hot water heaters, as well as homes that have not been cleaned and sanitized yet,” Vivian said. “A lot of appliances were submerged, so those have been big needs at this time.”

The disaster case manager service does not cost residents anything, they simply have to reach out to Vivian and Leopold indicating they need help to start the process or opt in when they receive a call from the case managers.

“Our case managers assist from the beginning of their client’s case to the close of it to aid and empower that person to work toward their long-term recovery,” Perez said.

“A lot of times we don’t realize the length of time it takes for a community to recover from a natural disaster,” Vivian concluded.

Leopold and Vivian are based out of the old D&N Bank building in Hancock, Room 402, and can be reached by phone at (906) 231-6856. For more information visit www.coppercountrystrong.com.

They are looking for volunteers with a background in construction to help with flood damage assessments and home repair.

Funds for flood recovery are being collected through the Keweenaw Community Foundation, Portage Health Foundation as well as Lutheran Social Services–Lutheran Disaster Response c/o Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Houghton.

A Tribute to Thatcher

Updated: 11/23/18 @ 16:17 EST
Copper Country Strong
Devin Kero, a Michigan Tech Hockey Player and others put together a wonderful tribute to Thatcher Markham, whose life was lost during the flood. This is a wonderful tribute to him, his family, the community, and all those from afar who have provided support.
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Disaster Case Managers Helping Flood Victims

Updated: 11/23/18 @ 16:18 EST
Get Assistance
If you still need help recovering from the June flood, assistance is available. The Flood Recovery Project - Copper Country, created in October, will assist Copper Country residents facing long term effects from June 2018 flooding, also locally known as the Father’s Day Flood. Marci Vivian and...
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Volunteer and Donation Center Officially Closed

Updated: 07/25/18 @ 16:31 EDT
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Official Updates
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The Houghton County Volunteer Resource and Donation Center (located at the former JC Penny Store), which was opened in response to the June 17th flood disaster, is now officially closed. The goods that were housed there have been distributed to local charities. If any flood victims need bottled...
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Updated: 07/16/18 @ 17:01 EDT
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Official Updates
Portage Health Foundation
The Portage Health Foundation has pledged financial assistance to Houghton County homeowners whose property was damaged by the Fathers Day Flood and have developed an application process (PDF) to apply for those funds. To assist homeowners with the application process and to answer general questions...
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Updated: 07/16/18 @ 10:06 EDT
Official Updates
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PSA to residents affected by recent floods

Updated: 07/13/18 @ 12:40 EDT
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Houghton County
TO ALL HOUGHTON COUNTY RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE 2018 FLOODS This post is being distributed as a guide regarding the assistance that is available for Houghton County residents that have been affected by the recent floods. Volunteers Available - if you need assistance cleaning out the flood damaged...
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July 13 - Disaster Recovery Update

Updated: 07/13/18 @ 12:28 EDT
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Here you will find the latest updates regarding the flood recovery efforts from the Houghton County Flood on June 17, 2018. This was released on Friday, July 13 at 11 a.m. With the heavy Wednesday night/Thursday morning rains, The Houghton County Road Commission reported an additional 18 roads that...
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Keweenaw Community Foundation announces phase 1 of Request for Disaster Relief

Updated: 07/12/18 @ 15:15 EDT
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Official Updates
As a result of the devastating Father’s Day Flood that hit our region on Sunday, June 17th, the Keweenaw Community Foundation set in place a Disaster Relief Fund as a way for donors seeking an official conduit to contribute monetary relief efforts. It is at this time that the Board of Trustees at...
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July 11 - Disaster Recovery Update

Updated: 07/13/18 @ 12:32 EDT
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Here you will find the latest updates regarding the flood recovery efforts from the Houghton County Flood on June 17, 2018. This was released on Wednesday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Latest Post: July 13 Disaster Recovery Update The Houghton County Road Commission reports that 15 roads continue to remain...
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Application now available for Portage Health Foundation funding

Updated: 07/13/18 @ 17:12 EDT
Official Updates
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The Portage Health Foundation (PHF) announces the application for their Flood with Love initiative is now available. The fillable online application form can be found on the PHF website by going to the News and Events section along with many physical locations around Houghton County. The application...
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