Tracy Vanhee (right), Portland District materials handler for the Rogue River Project: From Oct. 6 – Nov. 27, I could not believe how happy the people of the island of St. Croix were to see us. I was not sure how they would respond ... with happiness for the help ... or with anger over having their island covered with intruders who had arrived uninvited. I found the people of St. Croix to be patient (although they also understandably lost that occasionally), kind (they would patiently wave us back to the right side of the road when we drove on the wrong side) and overall very friendly. So many smiles and 'bless you’s' for being there to help. I was ready for the physical demand of the 12 to 16 hour days, but what I was not ready for was the emotional toll. I literally had people sobbing on my shoulder as were taking Right of Entry applications. Such devastation! The horror of having lost their home and now mold growing, and consuming everything that remained! And sometimes the rain was relentless!