Red Cross assists two Alorton women after flooding keeps them out of their home

After heavy rains caused a woman and her mother’s driveway to flood last Wednesday, they chose not to risk attempting to get into their Alorton home and instead checked into a motel.

After spending five days there on their own dime, the Red Cross stepped in with assistance.

According to Jason Bengston, a Red Cross worker who helped the women, the women called the Red Cross for help.

“(They) contacted us yesterday but the flooding actually happened last week when we were still getting rain,” Bengston said. “They weren’t able to get into their home. They were paying out of their own pocket to stay in motels.”

Bengston said the women heeded a warning that authorities and meteorologists have been giving a lot lately: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. So when they arrived to find water had risen above their driveway in the 5600 block of Old Missouri Avenue, they chose not to risk their safety.

“They’re all fine, they’re OK. She said she heard it on TV—turn around, don’t drown. It was refreshing to hear her say that,” Bengston said. “When they’re not able to get into their home and have nowhere to stay, that’s when we can try to help them out.”

It wasn’t clear whether the water had receded enough to allow the women to return home Tuesday.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Red Cross assists two Alorton women after flooding keeps them out of their home."