Cook mayor: 'We have been through a trauma'

COOK — Flood recovery efforts continue in Cook where several feet of rain in a storm last week caused the Little Fork River to overflow its banks, impacting several businesses, homes, and some city buildings.

“We have been through a trauma,” Cook Mayor Harold Johnson is quoted in a news release on Tuesday. “This community, built in the floodplain, could not withstand the effects of over eight inches of rain. I commend all the volunteers who worked tirelessly during the flooding. Now that the water has receded, I commend all those who continue to help clean up the city.”

City of Cook maintenance workers on Tuesday were able to begin sweeping the once flooded streets, clearing away sand and debris left behind from the flood, and workers from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Togo are helping to clean up city parks and pick up trash.

The Salvation Army has begun serving noon lunches and evening meals in the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Meanwhile the Cook Fire Hall continues to serve as a volunteer coordination center, where cleanup kits from the American Red Cross, and a number of items donated by the Cook Lion’s Club: fans, dehumidifiers, cleaning supplies, snacks and water are available to help flood victims.

On Monday the Lion’s Club purchased the items identified as needed during a public hearing, using an emergency grant from Lion’s Club International.

The Cook Public Library remains closed, while damage is being assessed. Library patrons are asked to refrain from using the book drop in the interim.

In an update on Tuesday Comet Theater owner Steph Horner announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that due to the extensive damage to the actual theater, she and her husband, Ryan aren’t anticipating showing any movies or hosting any event in the theater this summer.

Steph said the couple discovered the wall panels of the theater were soaked higher up than originally anticipated, and that they will not be able to save the theater seats.

“We are still hopeful that the boutique and coffee shop can be reopened this summer with enough volunteer help and financial support,” she wrote.

City maintenance workers continue to check the city drinking water to assure it is safe, and are in contact with Minnesota Rural Water Association and are performing all the necessary procedures, according to the city. Wastewater levels are back to normal.

For questions or more information contact the City of Cook at 218-666-2210.

Various GoFundMe accounts have been set up for flood relief and can be found at gofundme.com.