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Rushford celebrates its annual town festival this week for the first time since August’s floodwaters covered two-thirds of the southeastern Minnesota city of 1,696. Organizers say it will make the celebration all the more special this year — and it’s a way to thank to the Rushford Fire Department.
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Dave Lombard, Rushford's assistant fire chief, leans on one of two new fire trucks near a rack of new fire fighter gear Wednesday at the Rushford Fire Station. A portion of the proceeds from this year's Rushford Days' buttons goes to the fire department, which had two trucks and much equipment destroyed in last years flood. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
“They helped get everyone out so we did not lose lives,” Rushford Days committee co-chairwoman Mary Gudmundson said.
Part of the $10 buttons goes to the fire department every year, but the flood mucked up the fire hall and destroyed gear, an ambulance, two fire trucks and other equipment.
Most of the equipment was replaced, assistant fire chief Dave Lombard said, but the bill isn’t paid in full. Brown water marks still stain the outside of the fire hall and memories of close rescues still haunt firefighters.
“It didn’t seem like it was real,” Lombard said. “As far as disasters go, we were real fortunate. We didn’t lose anyone. There were a lot of close calls.”
The team of 30 volunteers performed 27 boat rescues — nine from second-story windows. The flood didn’t spare the rescuers either. Firefighters lost personal vehicles, pets and belongings. Sixteen firefighters’ homes were damaged or destroyed.
Lombard said the flood taught him about the generosity of strangers. Fire crews from Decorah, Iowa, scrubbed down Rushford’s remaining fire trucks after cleaning residents’ houses.
“We were beside ourselves, and that was the last thing on our mind,” Lombard said. “The support made more of an impact than the flood.”
Lombard and a crew of firefighters returned the favor by heading to Decorah, Iowa, after early June floods filled their town.
Returning the favor is the drive behind this year’s celebration, committee co-chairwoman Kathy Eide said. A special flood volunteer luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The committee hopes to match the $10,000 given to the fire department last year.
Contact Amber Dulek at 507-453-3513 or amber.dulek@lee.net.
