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Cairo begins to heal

BY BRENT STEWART, THE SOUTHERN

Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 1:00 am

CAIRO - Just a few days ago - with the exception of a gravel truck or the occasional Army Humvee - the streets of Cairo were nearly silent.

There was a marked difference in traffic on Thursday. The four lanes of Cairo's main roadway, Sycamore Street, was filled with cars. Customers walked in and out of Cut Mart, Dollar General and Supervalu to re-stock their shelves. Restaurants, such as Mack's and Shemwell's BBQ, had fired up their ovens to serve residents returning from the voluntary - then mandatory - evacuations of the last three weeks.

Shemwell's outside billboard read, "Welcome survivors."

At the Cairo Fire Department, returning residents filed in and out as the Salvation Army gave out food and cleaning supplies. Salvation Army volunteers were also offering to clean up basements - free of charge - for those who came back to wet homes.

‘Blessed'

"We're blessed and I don't think it's really sunk in yet with the residents," said Cairo Mayor Tyrone Coleman, who lifted the mandatory evacuation order at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Coleman was sworn in May 2 as the Ohio River reached 61.72 feet, its highest level on record.

Although Cairo did receive its share of seepage and backwater from the heavy rains that raised river levels, the levees all held, and according to U.S. Army Corps of Engi-neers experts, performed well.

"I'm really impressed, but at the same time, it was expected," Coleman said.

Coleman greeted many of the residents who walked in and out of the fire department in warm, sunny weather. One such resident was Anna Pearl Matthews, who did return yesterday to a home filled with water.

"It did lots and lots of damage," Matthews said. "It just went everywhere."

Matthews lives with her daughter and foster son in a house on 18th Street. Her bedroom is in the finished basement that also has living and laundry rooms.

‘Hurt inside'

The basement is mostly dry now, with a few wet spots here and there. Throughout the entire area, a three feet high dirt stain marks the walls and furniture. Couches, chairs, televisions, a bed-room set, furnace and air conditioning and many other items were ruined.

"I feel real hurt inside," Matthews said.

The finished basement was one of her husband's last projects before his death in 2009. Despite the loss of many of her belongings and her uncertainty about how it will be replaced, Matthews still knows it could have been worse.

"I thank God and have to give him the praise, because the people in Alabama and all those places had nothing to come back to," Matthews said. "It could have taken our houses and every-thing."

Coleman said the city is going door to door to assess homes. So far, 80 houses have been identified as damaged, although more are expected as Cairo's residents return.

The new mayor considers his town fortunate; but said the experience of the last few weeks puts more importance on Cairo developing a disaster plan, something he discussed during his campaign.

"I'm just hoping that people (in Cairo) examine themselves and be more prepared for situations like this," Coleman said.

From the WSIL TV Channel 3 Website...

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Cairo Residents Return Home, Help Still Needed

By Ryan Kruger

Posted: Thursday, May 12th

CAIRO -- Cairo's mayor estimates 99% of residents have returned home, nearly two weeks after the town was evacuated. Tyrone Coleman lifted the evacuation order Thursday afternoon. However, parts of town are still closed.

It will be a long road to recovery for Cairo. Part of that recovery means assessing damage, taking pictures and turning those damage reports in to the county.

Cleatus James and her daughter Gloria are glad to be back home. The two of them spent a week staying at a shelter inside Shawnee Community College. James says they were taken care of, but there's no place like home.

"It was pretty nice, just didn't have anything to do," said James.

Now it's time for the clean up. The Salvation Army is handing out buckets full of mops, brooms, bleach and anything else needed to clean house. Volunteers will also help residents get water out of their basements this week.

Food and water are also available but Mayor Coleman says many of the residents need something else.

"Food, clothing and those types of things have been readily accessible but they're in dire need of finances," said Coleman, who says many of the displaced residents are on fixed incomes.

The mayor lifted the evacuation order after the Ohio River dropped more than five feet from its record stage set earlier this month. On Thursday, the river was at 56 feet and forecast to drop below major flood stage by the weekend.

But there are still plenty of dangers in town. Massive sand boils still remain along with huge holes in the streets. Coleman says there will continue to be emergency personnel in town for the foreseeable future.

While the task of repairing and cleaning up the town is daunting the good news is, no one lost their lives. James says despite the hardship, she wasn't worried.

I figured everything was gonna work out for the best," James said, "gotta have faith."

A curfew remains in effect in Cairo from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. City officials will reassess that curfew on Sunday to see if it is still necessary.