Officials hoping to assist cleanup at 30 area homes

A Minnesota organization is looking for volunteers this weekend to help with flood cleanup in the Albert Lea area.

Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is organizing cleanups on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At least 10 to 20 volunteers are needed each day, along with trailers and pickups to haul items to the transfer station in Albert Lea.

Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an association of voluntary agencies and their partners involved in disaster response, recovery and preparedness.

According to its website, it works to promote cooperation, communication, collaboration and coordination to help those impacted by disasters in Minnesota.

According to Freeborn County officials, more than 240 residential properties sustained damage after heavy rains Sept. 21 and 22. While some had water damage alone, others had sewer backup.

Ann Austin, executive director with the United Way of Freeborn County, said officials were hoping to assist in cleanup at 30 homes as of Wednesday morning.

Crews will leave at 9 a.m. each day from United Methodist Church, 702 S. U.S. Highway 69 in Albert Lea. Volunteers are asked to come prior to that time to get registered and assigned to a location.

To register, volunteers are asked to bring a photo identification. People interested in offering help are asked to leave a message at the Community Resource Center at 507-473-2718 to confirm.

Volunteers should wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed toe shoes.