How to help the Laurel flood victims

(LAUREL, Ind.) – The Town of Laurel has been greatly affected by the catastrophic flooding, and there is more rain on the way tonight.

Several people have asked how they can help the victims who have been displaced or suffered house damage.

Michelle Spurlock with the Laurel Legacy Fund is among those leading the recovery efforts and says there are no immediate donations or supplies that are needed.

Displaced residents have been relocated to the Laurel Community Center. The two grocery stores in town are both closed due to flooding. 

Currently, there is plenty of food, water, blankets and cots. Gleaners will also be dropping off food Friday. 

The Laurel Food Pantry is also supplying immediate food needs for those both in the community center as well as those in their homes. 

The only immediate need is for volunteers. There have been community members working the entire day to staff the community center and also go door-to-door to check on their neighbors.

“We could use some local people to give those volunteers a break by donating some of their time,” Spurlock said. 

A long-term recovery

As of Thursday, most roads leading into Laurel are closed due to high water. The only road that currently is available is Kokomo Hill Road. 

“The last thing we need or want are people trying to come here and end up getting stuck or having their own emergency,” Spurlock explained. 

A lot of people in town are still in their homes trying to salvage belongings. Town leaders won’t know until later tonight or tomorrow what the true need is. 

“It’s too early to gauge what the needs are as a lot of folks are still in evacuation or recovery mode and haven’t even made it to the community center yet,” she said. 

She reiterated that the town is good with basic necessities for the time being. 

The coming days will allow them to better understand what other needs, such as clothing, will be. 

“There will certainly be a need for school supplies and clothing once we get a better understanding of the situation,” she said.

Spurlock's nonprofit is accepting donations and all of those funds will go toward long-term needs for the residents. 

Her nonprofit creating an official Go Fund Me for the long-term needs Friday. The Go Fund Me page is currently going through a required verification process to allow for tax-deducted donations. We will share that Go Fund Me once it is launched.

"I know a lot of people want to help right now, but the true needs will be a week, two weeks or even a month from now," she added.