TURTLE CREEK, Pa. -- One night of battling mother nature, followed by days of working in foul smelling flood water, has taken a phyiscal and now financial toll on the Turtle Creek fire department.

What was supposed to be the department's biggest fundraiser of the year was cut short last week when flood waters swallowed much of Turtle Creek.

Now the firefighting community wonders where they'll get the money to stay fully operational. "We didn't make any money. We just made enough to pay for things that we boughht. Food things like that," said firefighter Louis Lantzy.

The uniforms worn by firefighters while helping people during the flood were contaminated and have to be cleaned. "We have 28 active members. That's $6,000 just to clean the uniforms," said Lantzy.

The department also lost several portable radios, and hand tools along with their one and only pumper truck to flood damage. The department has a truck on loan from the Wilmerding fire department until its truck can be repaired. "Without us being able to purchase equipment we won't be able to get the help to the people," said Lantzy.

Monetary donations are being accepted to help the flood victims.

You can send your donation to the Salvation Army or American Red Cross.