Editorial: Thumbs

To Albert Lea resident Matt Levorson.

Matt Levorson, of Matt Levorson Productions, had a unique opportunity to share with Albert Lea and the rest of the world how the community looks by air following the flooding this week. We appreciate Levorson for allowing us to use some of the photographs in our newspaper and online. As of Saturday morning, his photos of this historic flooding had reached almost 36,000 people on the Tribune’s Facebook page in less than 24 hours and had been shared 701 times.

To heavy rains.

According to Freeborn County officials, Albert Lea received up to seven inches of rain during the Wednesday night storm that flooded streets and led to high water in area basements. Our sympathies go out to all who are feeling the effects of this storm — particularly those who have several feet of water in their basements. We hope some state or federal funding may be available to help alleviate the anticipated cleanup costs, and we hope the rain does not continue this weekend.

To city workers and first responders.

In times of emergency, our city and county workers and first responders proved this week how much they love our community and how tirelessly they will work to help others. Your efforts have benefited the entire community, and we appreciate your many hours of service this week. To the city and county workers, the ambulance crews, the police officers, the deputies the firefighters and any other workers who provided assistance this week, thank you.

To neighbors helping neighbors.

As in times of natural disaster in the past, we have been impressed to hear stories of neighbors helping neighbors in the cleanup following this weeks rain and subsequent floods. Whether it’s cleaning up debris, pumping water out of basements or some other task, Albert Lea area residents have stepped up to help their neighbors. We live in a great community.