The community in Globe, Arizona, is rallying to recover from the catastrophic flash floods that struck on September 26. Downtown Historic Globe, the area most severely affected, witnessed hundreds of business owners and residents join forces to clean up and begin rebuilding in the wake of the natural disaster, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. Amidst the chaos, the local community's spirit of cooperation has emerged as a beacon of hope.
With debris and mud-stained streets as a backdrop, individuals like Anisa Spurgeon and Mikael Widner stepped up to deliver sandbags to those in dire need. The couple, owners of BNM Trailer Services, responded to the heightened demand for sandbags by leveraging their business resources, according to Yahoo News. They, along with family and other small businesses, contributed to the relief efforts. "I just saw that people were asking, needed sandbags and stuff," Spurgeon said, reflecting on the ruins of treasured local establishments.
For many business owners in downtown Globe, the flooding has left them grappling with significant losses. Kimberly Cason, whose family-operated Globe Antique Mall was hit hard, said, "It's just unreal. A complete ... I don't ... I'm at a loss for words," according to a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. Their struggle echoes throughout the community, with several others dealing with a similar reality of having to start anew.
Despite the financial toll, the primary concern for some, like David Berrey, who owns multiple properties downtown, is the human loss. "That's kind of the most important thing right now, is making sure that those people are recovered," he told FOX 10 Phoenix. Berrey acknowledged the gravity of personal loss, setting it above material concerns. The community, while waiting for state and federal aid, continues to demonstrate its resilience and commitment to lifting one another up. Volunteers gathered en masse on September 28, signaling a collective determination to restore downtown Globe to its former vitality.
As Globe begins the arduous task of rebuilding, assistance extends beyond physical labor. Several GoFundMe campaigns have been set up for those intent on supporting the affected businesses and residents. These initiatives provide a tangible way for anyone, regardless of location, to contribute to the recovery and support the Globe and Miami communities in these challenging times.
