As word that the federal disaster declaration so many in flood-ravaged areas of Ohio County waited more than a month for had finally been signed, residents of those communities felt a wave of several emotions. They were joyous and relieved, with a sprinkling of reservation thrown in.

After spending six weeks digging themselves out of the damage, they were ecstatic that federal help was on its way. Their only wish was that it came sooner.

At Triadelphia United Methodist Church –which has transformed into a community hub following the deadly June 14 floods — residents shared both cheers and tears as the news of the declaration spread. These last six weeks have been arduous for so many, and some of them wondered if a federal declaration would ever come.

They were overjoyed that it was finally signed.

Lois Sine, who lives on National Road in Triadelphia, was ready with a fist pump and a fist bump for the Rev. Mike Palmer, pastor of Triadelphia United Methodist Church, after she heard the news.

“We’re hopeful and we’re confident that we’re going to rebuild, no matter what it takes,” she said.

Sine said that, if you look at the outside of her house, it would seem that it made out pretty well in the flood. But the outside shell of the house was essentially all that was left. The plumbing, cabinets, appliances, electrical wiring and ductwork inside? All gone.

She was able to save some sentimental items, like her uncle’s 50-year cap from the American Legion. Other items, she said, were stolen by looters after the floods.

Sine said she had some reservations with FEMA’s arrival. Her house in Fulton was damaged in a prior flood and she criticized FEMA’s response then. She’s hopeful this experience will be different.

“I’m hoping they can help us get some of the basic necessities – running water, electricity, walls,” she said. “I’m hoping FEMA has improved since 2004.”

Carol Kindleberger of Triadelphia didn’t learn of the federal declaration until she was in the fellowship hall at the church getting a meal. Her house took about four feet of water the night of June 14, losing windows, fencing and more.

“I guess I’m just still kind of shocked over (the news), having waited for so long,” she said.

The relief she felt at the news buffered some of the shock. Kindleberger felt like many others in flood-damaged areas felt as they watched other regions in the United States receive federal disaster declarations for incidents that happened after Ohio County’s. She remembered a town hall meeting where one of the speakers was offering instructions for “when or if FEMA comes.”

The “if” of that phrase concerned her, but those concerns have now been allayed.

Palmer understands the skepticism Ohio County residents have had with the federal government and the time it has taken for the disaster declaration to come. He also feels that skepticism will be enveloped by the relief that federal assistance is on its way.

“I think it’s going to bring some more hope and some more resources,” he said. “It’s going to make a difference. Maybe we can get some of these homes back up, get some of the bridges taken care of and maybe get more and better access to building materials and things like that.”

Palmer has watched the community around him rebuild from those devastating floods. He and his church have been there throughout for those people, offering whatever they can from cleaning products to building materials to hot meals.

With him has been Triadelphia resident Amy Jo Hutchinson, who has been a constant at the church’s flood relief stations, helping organize that relief every day. Hutchinson was one of the lucky ones in Triadelphia. The floodwaters didn’t reach her home.

Yet, she said, she was one of the few lucky ones. That Saturday night, she had to watch all of her neighbors lose everything they had as the water barreled through the town, taking cars and massive metal storage pods with it.

Hutchinson wiped away tears Tuesday night as she thought of the many residents who would finally receive federal help after six weeks of rebuilding mainly with the help of their neighbors in the Ohio Valley.

The joy she felt came from realizing that her community had a voice that refused to be ignored. The residents called elected officials and kept calling, continuously asking when that disaster declaration might be signed.

“This was true, grassroots, community power-building,” she said. “I think my joy is coming from the fact that we realized we do have power and we don’t have to just fall in line and we don’t have to accept that no one was doing anything to help us.”