Waterfront Rescue Mission hit by flood

The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola has opened its doors to those in need for more than 60 years.

Now, those the Mission is helping are repaying the favor, working to repair what was damaged after a flood hit the Mission's brand new facility.

Donnie Hitchcock was in the facility when the waters rushed in.

“It hit us so fast; we didn’t know what was going on. It was raining. And of course, we saw water but an hour later and it was several feet deep,” said Hitchcock.

As a vicious storm beat down on the Gulf Coast on June 8, 9 and 10, areas throughout Pensacola dealt with extensive flooding.

Many said the flooding happened extremely fast.

“We didn’t have time to do anything but pack bags and get the women and children out. We then walked a quarter of a mile up the road. It was raining so hard you couldn’t see your hand," Hitchcock said.

Volunteers in Waterfront Rescue Mission vans picked up Hitchcock and dozens of others and took them to local shelters.

Hitchcock said he came to the Mission in May after struggling with an addiction to drugs.

He said seeing the Mission damaged is heartbreaking.

“I was on the bottom when I came here. Thankfully, they were here because they brought me back around and saved my soul,” said Hitchcock.

Jerel Davis also dealt with addiction before coming to work as a cook at the Mission. He said he's thankful because he knows it could’ve been much worse.

“Right now, this is my home so it affected me significantly. But, I think God's plan is much bigger than what we see before us. So we’re ready to step up to the plate again and do what we need to do to service our community,” Davis said.

The Waterfront Rescue Mission just moved into its new facility at the beginning of May.

Officials said they're looking at possibly more than $100,000 in damage.

If you're interested in donating to the Waterfront Rescue Mission, you can contact the organization here.