Outpouring of support saved homes in Neeld Estate

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

I am a resident of Neeld Estate which was hit particularly hard last Friday by the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.

This nor'easter was the mother of all nor'easters. Our community has been hit hard in the past by storms and usually many, many homes are impacted by the high water.

This time, only six homes were threatened — but oh how they were threatened.

Never before have homes been so close to washing into the Bay.

As incredible as this crisis was, so was the response of many, many people to save these homes. I would like to thank these neighbors, friends, family and strangers for their tireless efforts.

What started as a few people sand bagging in desperation as the waves, wind and tide grew, turned into a full scale operation. 

As word got out through cell phones, e-mail and Facebook, the people started coming.

People left their jobs, took their kids out of school and showed up with shovels in hand. 

The Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department came with more sand bags, equipment, water, food and what was needed most — muscle. Calvert County Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D) was on her cell phone lining up desperately needed supplies and services and Calvert County Board of Commissioners' President Wilson Parran (D) rolled up his sleeves and joined in passing sand bags down the line. Traders, Rolands and Dominoes donated food.

The Prince Frederick Fire Department brought more muscle and joined in the assembly line.

Channel 7 News showed up and did interviews at 5 p.m. which brought more people. It was an unbelievable sight to see.

There was a critical point in the day when the wind and waves were relentless and the volunteers in the water were not sure one of the houses would make it. The foundation was being undermined and one of the footings washed out.

But they didn't give up.

More people and more sand bags brought hope.

And as the tide gave way just enough, the sand bags could take hold and the wall of bags began to make a difference. It was an incredible sight — more than 7,000 sand bags stacked between the cottages and the crashing waves.

They say a friend in need is a friend indeed. The need was great and the friends were many.  The Osbourn, Meyer, Jones, Gordon and Park families would like to thank each and every one of you for your selfless giving. We wish we could name you individually, but you know who you are, and so do we.

Whether you were from an agency, a department or a volunteer organization, whether you were from down the street, across the county or around the beltway — thank you, friend.  Your time, efforts and energy are appreciated more than words can say.

For more coverage of the efforts go to www.neeldestate.com.

Anne Jones, Huntingtown