FEMA community relations representative Donald Roy, left, talks with Bridgeport residents James “Red” Carlton, center, and his wife, Hazel, Wednesday. FEMA began going door-to-door canvassing the tornado damaged Alabama town to make sure everyone was aware of their options for help.
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In the last three weeks, Barbara Harper and Donald Roy have handed out thousands of fliers, hugged dozens of strangers and even shed a few tears with people standing amid the splinters of what were once their homes.
“We listen, we laugh and sometimes we even cry with people,” said Roy, who works with Harper on a community relations team to provide information about Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance.
On Wednesday, the two tackled hard-hit areas in Bridgeport, Ala., for the second time in less than three weeks, visiting houses where no one was at home the first time. They moved quickly from door to door, dodging debris and trees and watching out for dogs.
But when someone answered a door or stopped throwing tree branches on a pile, the two slowed down to talk and to listen.