When it comes to covering a disaster, there is no time, resources or space to tell all of the stories. For as many people who live through an event worthy of being called a disaster there are many stories, and then some.

The Yazoo Backwater Area flood that our area was crushed by for the better part of six months is without question a disaster — an epic, historic disaster — and only now are the stories beginning to come out as to the scope of damage caused by water inundating the backwater and sitting there for months.

Only now can residents begin to get back to their homes to begin assessing the damage. Only now can insurance claims be made and only now can lives start being put back together.

The process to restore the lives of our neighbors and the health of our community will be months and years in the making. It will not be made better by one weekend of work mucking out homes or applying a fresh coat of paint, but by continued support by the entire community.

Such support showed out last weekend when hundreds gathered at Redwood Elementary School for what we hope and pray is the first and only Floodfest.

Organized by Thomas Parker and supported by dozens of businesses, vendors, agencies and individuals, the event proved not only to be a shot in the arm in the monies raised and soon to be donated to flood recovery efforts, but a shot in the arm in the spirit of our community.

Floodfest gave our community the chance to come together, sing and dance with our neighbors and offer a shoulder for those affected to cry on.

It was a chance to show those affected by the flood they are not alone in their fight for recovery, but are instead part of a community that will rally to support them.

We thank and applaud Parker and those who helped organize the event and those who were so gracious of their time and money in making it such a success.

The dollars will be needed and put to good use, but the most important thing raised during Saturday’s event was our community’s spirit.

Thanks.