SHAMOKIN - When a powerful stream of water broke a concrete wall Thursday morning in the backyard of Nick Brokenshire's home, the flood water collected in a pool. When the water started leaking into the house, Brokenshire made the decision to open the doors and let it flow through like a makeshift creek to the other side and into the basement.
He believes that decision saved his house, located at 127 Coal Run Road in Coal Township, but he still has an estimated $20,000 in damage.
"It's more of an inconvenience. We didn't have anyone hurt and our house is livable and repairable," Brokenshire, 72, said at a disaster relief center at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center Wednesday morning after he filled out a damage assessment form.
He was one of 70 people who had come to the center by 11:30 a.m. to seek assistance in filling out the initial paperwork needed for state or federal flood assistance funding.
When Brokenshire and his family went to sleep Wednesday night, there was no damage. At 2:30 a.m., he found the 2-foot high concrete wall at the back on his property had snapped in half, spilling water running off the mountain into the back yard.
"I don't even have creeks or streams or rivers around me," he said.
The water formed a 20-inch-deep pool and began seeping into several rooms. Brokenshire opened the sun room doors and allowed the water to flow through for 11 minutes out the other door. At the same time, he opened the dining room doors, and a slight tilt of the floor caused the flowing water to flow into the basement, where it would eventually drain.
In all, the kitchen, sun room, dining room and front room experienced damage while the rest of the rooms were saved by the strange move.
Smooth process
Jackie Verzosa, 69, of 707 Center St., Tharptown, sat down with Melissa Blair of state Rep. Kurt Masser's office in the auditorium of the center.
Before they started filling out the form, Verzosa explained she lived alone and didn't have anyone to help her clean her damaged home.
"I'm capable, but I slipped and busted my butt," she said.
Blair, who noted she took calls at the representative's office that brought her to tears, said she could connect Verzosa with Central Susquehanna Opportunities to arrange help.
Although Tharptown was hit hard, Verzosa was one of the lucky ones, she admits. There was 4 feet of water in her basement, which damaged a furnace, washer, dryer and hundreds of collectables.
"There are plenty of people in worse shape than I am," she said. "Some people lost everything."
The process with Blair was over in less than five minutes, and Verzosa was thankful.
"Oh my gosh, she's wonderful. Very helpful. The process was smooth," she said.
Supplies plenty
Gale Zalar, with CSO Community Action, said more than 100 American Red Cross supplies and MREs (meals ready to eat) were given out following the application process. Supplies included shovels, mops, brooms, cleaning chemicals, buckets, plastic bags and rakes.
The Red Cross will also be parked at the career center today and Friday, offering free hot meals for lunch and dinner.
Sandy Winhofer, director of Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, said chamber members have been asked to donate, and many businesses have answered that call, providing supplies and food for those in need. Furthermore, Zalar said additional donations have been coming in from other organizations and individuals.
The disaster center was staffed by employees from the county, Masser's office and the chamber.
Important steps
There are two steps all county residents who have experienced loss in the flood, regardless of severity, are implored to take: call the Federal Emergency Management Agency and visit a county disaster relief center between today and Friday to file separate claims.
Individuals and business owners seeking federal disaster assistance must call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) to file a claim. Claims may also be filed online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.
When applying for aid, the following is needed: Social Security Number (including spouse's); private insurance information, if available; address of damaged property; directions to damaged property; daytime phone number and current mailing address.
Times for assistance will continue today and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the center. Those in need can also visit the county administration center, 399 S. Fifth St., Sunbury; Lower Northumberland County Senior Action Center, Route 147, Herndon; and Milton Senior Action Center, 219 Filbert St., Milton.
Help is also available at the district offices of state Rep. Kurt Masser, R-107, Route 147, Elysburg, state Rep. Linda Schlegel Culver, R-108, Sunbury, and state Sen. John Gordner, R-27, Route 61, Mount Carmel.
For more information, contact the county's emergency operations center at 988-4217 or 988-4218.