Resource center set to open to help those with flood damage in Latrobe area

A resource center will be open for six hours Friday to provide assistance to victims of flooding in Unity Township and the surrounding areas.

The center will be open from noon to 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland County Community College’s Latrobe campus at 130 Depot St.

Attendees can learn about options for obtaining housing, clothing, food, household goods and transportation. There will be information about mold remediation, assistance for pets and emotional and spiritual support.

Residents and businesses were affected by heavy rains Aug. 5 in several areas of Unity including the village of Dorothy, Beatty Crossroads and Route 30, the village of Marguerite and White School Road. Officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency teamed up with Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety earlier this week to conduct a damage assessment while residents and businesses continued the cleanup.

Local businesses, individuals, organizations and others have stepped up to help with many donating food, supplies and other items to help the flooding victims. Sharky’s Cafe and The Pier on Route 30 will welcome those who are recovering from the flash floods for a free buffet at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The U-Haul location at the Mountain Laurel Plaza, directly across Route 30 from the restaurant, is offering 30 days of free self-storage to the flood victims. A three-day collection drive at the Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department station wrapped up earlier this week.

Anyone who wants to donate other items to help with flood recovery and cleanup may call the fire station at 724-537-9872. Monetary donations also can be made through a link on the fire department’s Facebook page.

The Red Cross also is continuing to offer help to victims of the flooding. Those in need of assistance may call 800-733-2767. An emergency shelter at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg was opened over the weekend.