Red-clad students deploy sandbags against third flood wave

Busloads of students from Hurricane High School arrived Friday to place sandbags in front of every garage in the flood zone. The group, dressed entirely in red, moved into the impacted areas to help shore up homes damaged by last week's storms.

The effort followed a visit by Lieutenant Governor who described the scene as sobering. The students worked directly alongside residents who had already lost their homes twice. Their immediate task was physical: stacking barriers to prevent further water intrusion as new weather patterns approached.

Teacher Susan Wiese observed the group's efficiency on site. "I think they're learning that it's easier to help than we often think," she said. Kris Long, another teacher, noted that the students rose to the occasion. Long warned that the community faces more water soon. "We expect rain for the next three days, so we hope they won't get hit a third time," she said.

The students connected with the homeowners in personal ways. Junior Kayzlee Sanders spoke to property owners to offer assistance in any capacity possible. "I was talking to some of the owners of the houses so I just like to help in any way I can," Sanders said. Her classmate, junior Millie Danze, said the experience helped her grow as a person.

Senior McKab Gardner highlighted the stakes for the school community. He noted that a teammate lived in the area and had been flooded out twice. "One of our teammates, he lives just in this area, he got flooded out twice, so now he has to move permanently," Gardner said. That personal loss underscored the urgency of the cleanup work.

Macy Powell tied sandbags throughout the day. She said she dreams of making an impact on people's lives as her life's work. "Some people feel like they're alone but they'll never know the impact they make on some people," Powell said. She recalled seeing the relief on residents' faces. "Peoples faces, like their faces just lit up seeing the amount of people pour in," Powell said.

The students and teachers spent the day preparing victims for the coming weather. The clouds remained ominous over the area. The rain forecast for the next three days left the community on edge as the sandbags stood as the primary line of defense.