After two years of growth and finding a permanent home, flash flooding has forced the Vicksburg Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol to focus on rebuilding.

The squadron’s headquarters building at Vicksburg Municipal Airport suffered heavy water damage May 18 during a storm that dumped between 10 and 16 inches of rain on areas south of Interstate 20, said Capt. Shaun Kelly, commander of the local squadron.

“When I walked in at 8 o’clock in the morning, there was about a foot of water in the building, and it was still flooding in,” Kelly said.

In addition to leading the air patrol squadron, Kelly works at the municipal airport on U.S. 61 South where the Civil Air Patrol leases the former fire station building as their headquarters.

Water was reported over the road in several spots on U.S. 61 during the storm, and Kelly took photos showing more than two feet of water standing at the airport.

Inside the building, several walls suffered damage, causing mold growth. Cadet’s uniforms and other items had been washed from walls where they were hanging.

“It was a disheartening scene, but I knew when I got there that I had to do what had to be done,” he said.

To help in the recovery, the squadron has set up a fundraising website at www.gofundme.com/vicksburgcapflood.

“Within the first 24 hours, we were able to raise $1,100,” Kelly said.

But since, funding has dried up, and the crowdsourcing site remained at $1,100 Thursday, well shy of the goal of $10,000.

“If they don’t want to do it online, we can take a donation in person. All of the contact information is on the site,” Kelly said.

“Even if they want to do it anonymously, we can take it,” he said.

“We don’t need the big checks. Of course we can take it, but if a thousand people give 5 dollars we be well on the way. Every bit helps.”

The local Civil Air Patrol was organized in February 2013 with seven members but in just over two years it has grown to 11 adults and 10 student cadets.

In December 2013, the squadron opened its base at the municipal airport.

“The whole purpose of this building and everything is in direct support of cadet program,” Kelly said.

The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Adult members regularly participate in search and rescue operations, and its student cadets participate in an ROTC-like program where they meet weekly and participate in aerospace education, career academies and leadership training.

For more information, email VicksburgCAP@gmail.com or call 601-801-3434.