OXFORD, CT (WFSB) – In response to historic flooding that devastated the Valley on Sunday, efforts are underway to provide vital resources to affected community members.
In Oxford, the memory of last Sunday’s catastrophic flooding is still fresh.
“It was scary,” said Susan Kovacs of Oxford. “I saw the water coming from behind my property, through my property and onto the woman’s property across the street.”
Almost a week later, clean-up work has begun, but for many the road to recovery will be long.
“Especially our cellars. Everything down there is a loss,” said Kovacs.
“Very few people had flood insurance because it’s not a flood zone,” said Marybeth Nelsen of Oxford.
While some wait for a response from their insurance companies and others for government assistance, the community is taking action now.
“People here are suffering. People here have been suffering, so we’re doing everything we can to help them, that’s why we’re here,” Frank Tortora, Tortora Home Improvement. “We’re all helping each other, so we have to stay focused and keep going.”
On Saturday morning, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (CT DECD) participated in the Rebuild Expo at Quarry Walk.
The aim of the event was to help companies that were financially affected by the severe floods.
CT DECD is working to develop programs to assist local business owners in recovering from the disaster.
The Rebuild Expo, which took place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 300 Oxford Road, brought together various service providers and contractors.
Organizers encouraged participants to set up booths and share business information to help those in need.
In addition, the community was asked to contribute by providing access to equipment, valuable connections or other resources that could support the reconstruction efforts.
“A lot of locals just pulled together and helped everyone,” said Corena Tortora, Tortora Home Improvement.
“Oxford is a strong community. We are tough. We want to stick together,” said Shannon Neumann of Neumann Electric.
People from Neumann Electric, an Oxford company, arrived early Saturday morning.
They are doing well, but they have compassion for their city and want to help as best they can.
“We want to help other small businesses because realistically, some of them only opened a few months ago and are now completely destroyed,” Neumann said.
They offer electrical services, but also sell T-shirts with a slogan from First Selectman George Temple: “We are Oxford tough.”
They have already sold more than 50 shirts.
“All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will benefit small businesses that have suffered from the floods,” Neuman said.
To order a shirt you can contact them HERE via their Facebook page or via email at [email protected].
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