Two months after the historic flooding that struck the Ravenswood neighborhood on the weekend of Aug. 16, residents are entering the next phase of recovery and finding a new normal. Long‑time resident Kelly Arterberry described the immediate aftermath as “emotional” and “terrible,” but says the community is now on the upswing.
Families rebuilding homes
Arterberry’s family owns six properties in Ravenswood. Her parents, who live in one of the homes, spent time in a hotel and a camper while repairs were underway. Although work on their house is not yet finished, enough progress has been made that they can now sleep there again.
Not every household has been as fortunate. Gw Welsh’s home suffered severe flooding and must be completely demolished. Welsh, his wife and three dogs are living in a 20‑foot camper on their own lot, while his son stays with a relative. He described the recovery process as “sad and, at times, frustrating,” noting the difficulty of navigating flood‑insurance claims and FEMA assistance.
New floodplain standards add hurdles
Many homes in Ravenswood were built before current floodplain standards were adopted. Under the new rules, these structures must be raised, and specific permits are required before any demolition or construction can begin. “We have to get specific, different permits,” Welsh said. “Then once we get the permits, we can’t even demo until we have an engineer come out and design a new home.”
Community organization steps in
In response to the disaster, Welsh and other residents formed the Ravenswood Community Corp., a nonprofit group dedicated to rebuilding the neighborhood. The organization operates out of a mobile trailer parked in the Riverwood Park lot, providing a central office where residents can receive referrals to trusted contractors and connect with government agencies for permits, financial assistance, or mutual‑aid resources such as food and clothing.
Bryan Bowen serves as the incident commander for the group. He gathers case‑management information, assesses needs and directs resources. Bowen noted that while many families have moved into “phase two” of recovery, some remain displaced, especially seniors, families with children, and those battling serious medical issues.
Practical aid for families
Ravenswood Community Corp. is filling gaps where possible. The group distributes gift cards to Lowe’s for home‑improvement purchases and, this month, offers Spirit Halloween gift cards so children can get costumes. Plans are also under way to provide Christmas trees to families this winter.
Local businesses have stepped up as well. The Rook Pub handed out plates of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and brownies on a Wednesday night, creating a gathering spot where kids played in the park while adults checked in with one another outside the community office.
Neighbors stay hopeful
“This is a diverse group of freaking neighbors, man,” Welsh said. “It’s weird. It doesn’t make any sense, but it’s working and people are happy.” While the future holds unknowns—especially with a potentially harsh winter—residents remain confident in their ability to look out for one another. “Is it going to be a rough winter? Yes. But people are going to look out and make sure that nobody’s going without this winner. I love that,” Welsh added.
The ongoing recovery effort underscores the resilience of Ravenswood’s community and the power of neighborly cooperation in the face of natural disaster.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
