(Warwick, Rhode Island)

I have covered tornadoes in Wisconsin, hurricanes in Florida and earthquakes in California during my career. But the devastating scenes from the recent floods in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are among the most heartbreaking images I have ever seen.

Lots of people are trying to help. FEMA has set up a federal disaster aid office outside a shopping center in Warwick.

Today we followed the Cruz family of West Warwick as they went through the aid application process. We then toured their flood-damaged home, where almost everything was destroyed. One of the few things that survived was a piece of artwork that their five-year old daughter had made, with a note that said, "I Love You, Mommy!" It was a discovery that brought her parents to tears today.

“We’ll get through, slowly. We’ll get back right up where we was,” said Nicholas Cruz, the father of two girls, ages 12 and 5. His partner of many years--and the little girls' mother--Melanie Merritt said, “That’s the main thing. We’re trying to stay strong for the kids. We just got to try to stay focused, and we’ll just have to start over."

They are strong, resilient people. Please keep them--and all the flood victims and emergency workers--in your prayers!

You can watch my complete ABC 6 story that airs tonight at: http://www.abc6.com/news/89932352.html