This story is written by Red Cross worker A Smith.
She lives the Red Cross philosophy every day. On September 08 as Hurricane Irene continued her angry trip up the east coast it was clear to all that Pennsylvania would not escape her wrath. As the waters of the proud yet gentle Susquehana River began to rise, Marita received a call to open a shelter at Tunkhannock High School. As the waters continued to rise and more and more people were forced to evacuate their homes it became clear more shelters were needed and Marita received the call to open a second shelter at Falls Senior Citizens Center a few miles away. Making every moment count she had the shelter up and running in a matter of hours. As the mighty Susquehana overflowed her banks and reached higher and higher (43 feet above normal) destroying everything in her path, Marita received the call, a third shelter was needed. Not one to rattle easily, and with her customary “can do” attitude she was receiving evacuees a few short hours later at the Emanna Country ‘Club.
As clients began to arrive she realized more food was needed and she remembered a ham in the refrigerator at home she had purchased the day before. It was on the way home that she came face to face with the stark reality that her own home was in danger. The waters had risen so rapidly the roads were flooded and she could not get home. She knew immediately that all was lost so she calmly returned to the shelter to help her neighbors cope with their loss.
As the waters receded and Marita was able to return to her home of 30 years it was apparent she would never live there again. Everything in the house was lost and the violent storm had left a foot of muddy silt everywhere. Facing this loss as she has everything in life she applied and was accepted to Lake Winola Senior Housing…when something becomes available. Til then she will continue to stay at the home of a friend.
“I can handle the big things that life throws at me. It’s the little things that upset me.” This dynamic woman of 83 years of age is a 20 year volunteer with the American Red Cross and has responded to 22 national disasters.