On June 17, 2018, the Copper Country endured damaging flash floods that washed out roads, driveways, and houses altogether. Although it was a difficult time for the area, people came from near and far to volunteer, offer shelter, deliver food, or do whatever was necessary to help one another. One month later, we are well on our way back.
Glenn Anderson, City Manager of Hancock, explained, “Although the 2018 Father’s Day Flood had over a $100 million impact on critical public infrastructure, and countless millions of additional dollars related to the damage to private homes and businesses, the real story was the thousands of volunteers made up of local citizens and people from all over the country that came together to help rebuild the impacted communities. It was impressive to see on a daily basis how people came together in a spirit of community cooperation to start the rebuilding of the impacted communities.”
Eric Waara, Houghton City Manager, added, “The historically intense rains and ensuing walls of water that ripped a path through so many of our communities destroyed property, infrastructure, and took a life. What they did not destroy was the spirit of community that binds this area. While it is not on parade most days; the way so many rallied to help dig out the home of a stranger, cook a meal, comfort a neighbor, and countless other acts of kindness and grit remind us of the fact that we live in a place that is truly the definition of what community should be.”