Sweltering heat during massive clean up

GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A week after dealing with massive flooding, residents in Gowanda and the southern tier are now dealing with sweltering heat as they continue to clean-up from the mess left behind.

Many of these teenagers don't even know whose home this is, but they came to help out because they know there is a need here.

"It's heartbreaking, you go home and cry every night," said Tim Zeafla, a volunteer,

Zeafla is just one of countless volunteers that spent the sweltering hot day helping others clean up.

They are also collecting donations for those resident who lost everything, and there is still a great need, especially for the smallest victims of the floods.

"Baby supplies, formula, diapers, squeegees, push brooms, personal hygiene supplies," said Zeafla.

Cathy Walsh is used to helping others at her clothing pantry, but now she's in need because her pantry lost everything.

"It's funny because this is what the clothing pantry's for," said Walsh.

So, she's stocking up to get back to work.

"We're sorting though getting enough men's women's, boys, girls," Walsh added.

She wants to be sure she'll still be able to help others when they need it most.

Walso said, "It comes in free it goes out free."

A house on Jamestown Street belongs to Paul Zimmerman, who is taking the loss of his home and property extremely well.

"After going through that night, any of this mess, it doesn't really matter so much, said Zimmerman.

Despite standing water and mud covering his basement and everything in his ranch house sitting at the curb, he's grateful to the people in the community he calls home.

Gowanda residents who need help can call 995-2164.