The anniversary of the June 2008 floods evokes memories for many in the community.

Even though the general public does not see the aftermath of the flooding, for many, the cleanup and repairs continue.

During rainy days, some may struggle with being at work and wondering if the sump pump is working. Others become anxious when the rain continues for several hours, triggering memories, said Joyce Gau, director of Project Recovery, a community-based outreach program designed to meet the emotional needs of the survivors of the Wisconsin floods.

With the warmer weather approaching and the humidity increasing, there is the chance of mold returning to the lower levels of homes.

"What was cleaned up before is now returning, requiring more cleaning. It is not unusual for one to become discouraged during this time. Just when we think things are all back to normal, something happens that is a result of the flood, though months later," Gau said.

It will take time to heal and recover from the emotional effects of the disaster, she said.

"One of the best ways to cope is to talk about how you are feeling about your experiences. It is important to express your fears, sadness, grief and anger about what happened and how it impacted you," said Gau.

She suggests the following: relax, rest and recuperate physically, mentally and emotionally.

"This can be a stressful time for families when a parent is working on restoring the personal property and does not take time for self or the family. Families need to take time to be together and talk about how each family member is feeling. This is especially important for parents to speak with their children about the children's feelings, concerns and fears," she said.

Older adults are also dealing with losing some of their prized possessions.

The anniversary might trigger some older memories for senior citizens. They may also experience the fear of becoming dependent on others and worry about limited financial resources and time to rebuild.

http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090607/FON0101/906070567/1289/FON01/Flood+memories++resurfacing+mold+interrupt+recovery

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