LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. -- Flood victims are turning the tables and serving the volunteers who've helped since the December storm. Many of the victims say they couldn't have made it without the physical and moral support folks brought with them.

It's been nearly five months since the storm and the victims wanted to come together to show their appreciation for all of the volunteer help.

The work in the flood zone never stops. There's always something to do to try and get flood victims back to normal.

Brenda Boardman's home is just about ready to go and the mud-covered yard is just about re-landscaped. It's all thanks to volunteers.

"Because they were here every day and because they always came with cheer and ready to work and do anything, it kept me going. So I owe a great deal to them," said Boardman.

The flood waters came with such force that entire communities were inundated. Flood victims were overwhelmed.

Almost instantly the volunteers started showing up. Work parties of 20 and 30 helped at each place.

That volunteer effort continues on through Tuesday.

"It was amazing that the volunteers that showed up from Seattle and points beyond that they were all nice people," said flood volunteer Ted Parr.

The volunteer appreciation gathering at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis is a re-union of sorts. Many of these flood victims and relief workers haven't seen each other since the days following the devastating storm.

Gary Dorning, a flood victim and a volunteer, hugged volunteer Chris Carper.

"Folks like this are the ones who came out of the woodwork," Dorning said of Carper. "They didn't get hurt themselves, but they were there for us day in and day out."

"It's where I needed to be," Carper said. "We live up on the hill so we weren't in trouble. We just couldn't get to them with the water in the way, but when we could get through, we were there."

And the thanks go out to all who sent their money and supplies when the flood hit and when the warehouse burned down.

"KOMO has been great and the Oprah's Big Give has been fabulous for us. They've been filling needs for us and helping some individual families," said Richard DeBolt, president of United Way of Lewis County.

The need for volunteers is just as great today as before. Many flood victims are back in their homes, but there are still plenty of folks who still have mud and debris making their homes uninhabitable.

More Information:

United Way of Lewis County

Volunteer Center