Kinston's Salvation Army representative helps Ike's victims

Kinston Salvation Army Capt. Michael Rogers returns today from the Hurricane Ike battered Gulf Coast region after helping people impacted by the storm rebuild their lives.

For the past two weeks, Rogers and volunteers nationwide have provided thousands of people with hope for a better future despite the current bleak condition of their property and shortages of basic essentials.

Rogers began his journey to Texas shortly after Ike ripped through Houston. Volunteers from Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and the Southern Baptist Conference helped feed those impacted by the storm.

"We provided the food and other volunteers served it," Rogers said in a telephone interview. "There were several mobile feeding units that the volunteers used."

People living along the Texas coast were hardest hit, Rogers said. Galveston residents were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday morning.

Power outages continued this week in most areas, including Houston. Rogers said every night between 10 p.m. and midnight in Houston more power grids were repaired and electricity was restored to homes and businesses.

"Downed power lines and trees were still all over Houston when we arrived," Rogers said. "We started running logistical support to get things where they needed to be."

The hot weather conditions made it more difficult for people to recover from Ike's devastation. Additionally, Rogers said the high temperatures Tuesday forced him to take a break from relief work after he became severely fatigued.

"We had been running hard with our work all week," he said. "I had to take a day off."

Ike's flood waters had contaminated some of the region's water supply. Officials have worked during the past two weeks to clean up the water supply.

"It's really bad in some areas with the water," Rogers said.

Overall, those who received relief from Kinston's Salvation Army unit were thankful to get help from North Carolina's volunteers.

"Most of the people are doing well now," Rogers said. "The last several days have been difficult for them but people seem to be more positive now for the first time. It's been rough for a lot of them."

Rogers said additional volunteers will work in the area that his unit left today as he returns to Kinston.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.