On Tuesday, July 11, after days of devastating impact in the Lower Hudson Valley of New York, it was still raining after a long, long day of hard work. Sixty Red Cross volunteers mobilized for the disaster response to extensive damage throughout the area with every scenario from houses floating off their foundations to submerged, abandoned automobiles leading one volunteer to note, “it’s not a pot hole, it’s the top of a sink hole.” Multiple families and individuals are working through the shock and overwhelming emotions that arise while they are in a Red Cross shelter in the Orange County community of Highland Falls, to begin the process of survival to recovery. 

Volunteers are experiencing similar emotional roller coasters working through long hours of hard work to what is sometimes called “hardship conditions.” Still, they work together to keep their spirits up even when the adrenaline that pushes them in the beginning begins to morph into exhaustion. Despite the stress and the fatigue, they push through the grueling work and don’t hesitate to provide a hug or encouragement.

The volunteers even have a buddy system to ensure that no one gets dehydrated to prevent heat exhaustion and works around communication and electricity blackouts to continue to provide care and to meet the needs of residents. Red Cross partners did the same.

(L-R) Hudson Valley Executive Director John Vale, volunteer Shelter Supervisor Sue Roman, Eastern New York Regional CEO Kevin Coffey. (Rebecca Callahan, American Red Cross)

One week later, as residents began returning to repair their homes or chose to stay with loved ones while determining next steps, the Highland Falls shelter went on standby. Red Cross volunteers began breaking down cots, packing gear, signage, and reloading pallets of supplies while making sure they were still capable of remobilization if needed.

Governor Kathy Hochul visited the shelter location. During her remarks, she said, “I want to thank the people who’ve been on the ground working so hard. Let me give a special shout out to Kevin Coffey, the Regional CEO of the Eastern New York Red Cross. Kevin, let’s give him a round applause for the 60 volunteers that you brought together in this small community, assessing damage in over 1,000 homes and just providing immediate relief as the Red Cross always does. Thank you for living up to the legacy of the Red Cross of being there for our people. So, thank you again to everyone as well.”

July 18, 2023- Highland Falls, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced up to $3 million in funding will be made available to eligible homeowners in Orange County impacted by flooding from recent historic rainfall. These State funds will provide emergency repair grants of up to $50,000 for critical home repairs to homeowners who suffered damage to their primary residence during last week’s 1,000-year flooding event. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Kevin Coffey with Governor Hochul and NYS Assemblymember Chris Eachus. (Sara Rosenberger, American Red Cross)

Written by Rebecca Callahan, American Red Cross