A roller coaster at "Six Flags Over Georgia" amusement park stands partially submerged under flood waters on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in Austell, Georgia, near the capital city of Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Flooded Southern States Start to Recover
People in hard-hit areas return home to begin work of rebuilding
(Map: Jim McMahon)
After being devastated by historic rains and flooding for more than a week, much of the southeastern United States is starting to dry out. Last week, heavy rains caused rivers and streams in parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee to overflow. Houses, roads, and farms stood under several feet of water for days. The floods killed at least 11 people in the three states, and left thousands more with their homes damaged or destroyed.
Georgia was the hardest hit by the floods. Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency, and President Barack Obama has declared a large part of the state a disaster area. This means the federal government will give money to help residents find a place to live while they rebuild their homes or seek new ones.
Vice President Joe Biden toured the area around Georgia's state capital of Atlanta to get a closer look at the damage on Friday. Biden visited with residents displaced by the severe storms at a Red Cross shelter in Cobb County.
"We know we can't make it all right, but we're going to do everything we can," Biden said.
Volunteers Offer Help
While the government distributes money and supplies for recovery and rebuilding, volunteers help flood victims gain access to the help they need. The Red Cross has opened five shelters in the Atlanta area where families who have lost their homes can stay. Volunteers will help deliver food and water to the flood victims in the shelters and throughout the affected areas.
In addition to helping flood victims get food, clothing, and a safe place to stay, volunteers can also offer emotional support. Adults and children who survive natural disasters are often sad, confused, and scared. Many Red Cross volunteers have special training to help people who are faced with losses like those caused by the floods in the Southeast.
Recovery Begins
Over the last few days, students have gone back to school, businesses have reopened, and many people have returned to their homes to review the flood damage. The Red Cross and other rescue organizations will continue to coordinate getting donations to people in the affected areas so they can rebuild.
During Friday's tour of the damage around Atlanta, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia thanked the Vice President and all those who had come to help. "With your help, we're going to survive this and come out better," he said.
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