Photo courtesy of Chris Getchell General contractor and May Township resident Andy Wallace (right) helps Rushford homeowners assess the damage done to their home during a volunteer trip to the flood-ravaged community in September.

MARINE ON ST. CROIX - When Chris Getchell first saw how Southeastern Minnesota was devastated by flooding in August, he knew he wanted to help, but he didn't know how. Now the Rutherford Elementary teacher is preparing to lead a group of volunteers from the St. Croix Valley to Rushford for the second time in as many months, and he is already planning a third trip to help one of the state's hardest-hit communities rebuild.

"Dan Froiland is a good friend of mine - he lives here now, but he grew up in Rushford and still owns a home there - so I offered to put a group together and head down there," Getchell recalled. "When Dan came back from his first trip down there, he asked if I would still be willing to help. 'My town is completely wiped out,' he said."

Getchell assembled a group of 32 volunteers - many from Christ Lutheran Church in Marine, where he and Froiland are members - that traveled to Rushford in September with the help of Lutheran Disaster Relief, which arranged for their meals and lodging.

A month after the floodwaters had subsided, the volunteers found a town that was still trying to trying to clean up the mess. Most of the debris had been removed, but many buildings still needed to be cleaned and disinfected.

"When I drove into town ,one of the first things I saw was a house that was essentially stripped to its studs, so you could see clear through it," recalled Andy Wallace, a general contractor from May Township who was part of the group.

"There were some places where you'd see a house like that next to one that seemed to be fine - one that was built on a hill, maybe - and then there were also a lot of homes that will have to demolished," he said. "It was incredible to see how much damage there was in a relatively small town; it's hard to fathom until you're there."

While other volunteers worked to wash and disinfect three properties, Wallace was sent door to door to help homeowners assess what work their houses required and tell them where they could get further assistance.

"Most of the people I spoke with were optimistic and working hard to put things back together, but there were also a lot of people who were still on the fence, debating whether to call it a total loss and start over," Wallace said.

Both Wallace and Getchell said they were welcomed with open arms by a very friendly and thankful community.

"The work can be hard, but Rushford's a great town, and it is fun to go down there. Everyone is so friendly and appreciative; it really leaves you with a good feeling," Getchell said. "You're plenty tired when you get back on Sunday night, but you feel good, too."

After seeing how much work remained to be done after his September trip, Getchell decided to organize more. He and another eight or so volunteers will return to Rushford this weekend, and he's already planning a third trip in mid-January.

"This is one of those things that gets a lot of attention when it first happens, but then it kind of falls off people's radar," he said. "But they're still suffering down there, and they need all the help they can get. ... I know we're just a little group, but every little bit makes a difference."

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Those who would like to join Chris Getchell on future trips to Rushford, organize trips of their own, or learn how they can help flood victims in other ways can contact him at getchellc@stillwater.k12.mn.us or 651-433-5135.