Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Folks Step Up to Help with Flooding

A community can set itself apart by how it responds in times of crisis.

In January, for instance, Oak Forest showed its true colors as they dug each other out of snow drifts. Last night's storm dumped a different kind of precipitation on the area—but Oak Foresters stepped up again for its friends and neighbors.

Some were without power; some were ankle- (or worse) knee-deep in floodwaters. Many of you still found it within yourself to help out.

Check out these quick dose of good deeds from your fellow residents. We're sure you have your own to share. Please leave your good deeds in the comments, or email editor Lauren Traut at lauren.traut@patch.com. With so much negativity out there, let's shed some light on the brighter news, shall we?

• Beth Allas: Only the south side of our street is without electric, so all of us on the north have been running electric to them to try and help keep the flooding to a minimum. Two of my neighbors already have about 8 inches of water :-(
• Chuck Toland: I was all over Natalie Estates and Victoria and Central Ave., and I was up to my thighs removing debris in the inlets. When the water goes down, people should go and make sure their inlets are clear.
• One resident wrote of helping to cut back downed tree limbs in her area.

What are you doing to help out? Fill Patch in!