THE OUTER BANKS, N.C. -- Almost a week after Hurricane Irene tore through the Outer Banks of North Carolina, residents in the small community of Stumpy Point are still drying out from devastating floodwaters.
Operation Blessing International is trying to make their road to recovery a little easier.
Stumpy Point Sound's amazing views cause rational people to live in a place where hurricanes are likely to visit.
"We are on the Outer Banks and that stands for the Outer Banks. I mean you're out in the Gulf Stream." said Capt. Ron Weintraub, a local resident.
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However, last Saturday night, the beautiful scene turned downright scary.
"The water was up to here on my waist, can you imagine! The water was already starting to pour into the house," Becky Sherrod recounted.
In Photos: A Forgotten Town Gets Help
About 80 percent of the homes on Stumpy Point received some water damage from Irene's tidal surge. Robert and Pam Creef were no exception. They got about 18 inches of water in their house. But thanks to local volunteers and Operation Blessing, they say their house will be livable again.
"God has sent us angels and I am serious. And yesterday, here come these kids, they've taken it and gone with it. My Bible did not get wet. And today, in the pantry, there was a box with my cross necklace my husband gave me, everything in it was wet, but look, the cotton's dry, look at there," Pam Creef said.
"What do you attribute that to?" CBN News asked.
"What do you think? Jesus Christ, Himself," Creef answered.
When Operation Blessing found out about the great need in the remote part of the Outer Banks, they set up their headquarters at the Stumpy Point Fire and Rescue Station, providing hot meals and washers and dryers, much to the delight of flood victims.
"Feels wonderful! This is the third time I've tried to wash my clothes," Sherrod said.
Almey and Barbara Gray's home was not flooded, but Almey's brother's house was a different story. They took time out from helping him to get a hot meal and were overwhelmed by Operation Blessing's help.
"Washing clothes and cooking food for people and just being here. Just letting people know that there's people out there that care about us," Almey Gray said.
"And when you guys came. It's not only help, but Christian help," Barbara Gray said.
Deputy Chief Curtis Price says Stumpy Point, which has about 250 residents, is a tight knit community where people help each other. But with so many people affected themselves, Operation Blessing's help has been invaluable.
"It's been a blessing. They actually have a crew up with my wife now at my house. My house was flooded," Price told CBN News.
"We need prayers. We need volunteers to come and help and cash donations to help communities like this one," said Jodie Herrington-Gettys, OBI's director of U.S. Disaster Relief.
Life is still far from normal, but most people in Stumpy Point, like Ron and Becky Weintraub, are counting their blessings.
"We're still here," Ron Weintraub said.
Find out how you can help Operation Blessing International's disaster relief programs around the world and here at home.
--Originally aired on September 2, 2011.