Flood Update

icon1 Posted by Rochelle in Misc. on 09 3rd, 2008 | 8 responses

I have finally set up the Internet in the place we are staying at while our house is being worked on so I am now able to give an update.

Wow.  Where to begin?  It has now been two weeks since our house was flooded.  The flooding came up about six inches inside our home, so just about everything is ruined.  It might not have been so bad but the water was contaminated with sewage waste, so most things need to be thrown away.

As of today we are almost ready to have the drywall removed.  We would have done it sooner but we have so much friggen’ stuff that we had to move everything away from the walls so the drywall can be removed.  This has meant boxing up just about everything that wasn’t damaged and either placing it in the middle of each room or putting it in storage.

Tomorrow my brother-in-law and I will cover each pile with visqueen (I don’t know how to spell it but that is how it sounds), which is a plastic tarp, and tape them down so dust doesn’t get on our stuff.  I’ve been told the drywall process is VERY dusty.

After that the drywall can be removed.  We will remove the drywall 40″ from the ground up.  All the cabinets will also be removed, in the kitchen and bathrooms.  Then the insulation will need to be removed from the walls and the inside of the walls need to be dried.  This will take a few days.

After the walls are thoroughly dried they will be sprayed with a product that will kill any mold and prevent mold from growing.  Then we will have someone come in to certify that our house is free of mold and contaminates.

When the walls are dried and free of mold we will have new insulation put in and new drywall put in.  Then we can paint, put in new carpet and tiles, have new cabinets installed in the kitchen and bathrooms, and get the major appliances replaced.

Piece of cake, right?

I am so tired.  And a bit blue.  To top it off, my youngest daughter has developed bronchitis, which means I am not able to work at the house as much as I would if she were well.  This whole process has been overwhelming and exhausting.  It is hard to constantly stay positive.  But I am doing my best.  I sincerely appreciate all the words of encouragement I’ve gotten here.

I have tons of pictures and will upload some soon and post them.  The one thing each person has said who has been in our house since this happened is, “I kept trying to picture it but I can’t.” 

Lastly, I’m amazed to say we didn’t see a single snake.  I didn’t expect to see any alligators (which we didn’t) but I really thought we would see a single snake. 

LOTS of frogs, toads, lizards, and spiders, though.

Until next time,

Rochelle

8 Responses to “Flood Update”

  1. Jon says:
    September 3, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    Rochelle,

    I’m glad to hear things are on track for getting your house repaired. Yes the drywall process can be very dusty, but what you described won’t be anything complicated. It will just take time to finish all the work.

    Keep us updated and continue to hang in there!

    Jons last blog post..Organizing Your Affiliate Business With OneNote 2007

  2. Sunshine says:
    September 3, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    Rochelle,

    It’s encouraging to us all to see you’re beginning the long road back to your wonderful life with your family. Keep your head up and trust that everything will work out.

    God bless you and yours,

    Sunshine

  3. hartlenn says:
    September 3, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Hey Rochelle
    SO glad to hear from you and that you guys are still surviving these harsh times. Just keep envisioning your home in the near future; all new and cozy and nice again. That time WILL come, and we all know you guys will get there. Just take it one moment at a time; do your best to meet your family’s and your own needs, as they arise. The house will get done, even if not as fast as we would all like. It will all be good again soon and you will have a whole book to write about all these incredible experiences.
    We are all praying for you and cheering on those angels that help you where they can.
    HL

  4. Aunt Bobbie says:
    September 4, 2008 at 11:05 am

    Dear Rochell,
    You’re story reminds of when I was a little girl living in Vestal. Our home was across the street from the Sequahanna River. Before the levees were built in the 1960ies we had flood watches every spring after the snow thawed and the rains came. Every year the folks and our neighbors would be out watching the river rise. We kids were not allowed to go near but I remember doing it anyway. One year the dreaded decision was made to evacuate! It was all very scary. The flood water did fill our basement but luckily stopped before entering the house. Once the water retreated to its banks we had one hell of a mess to clean up. Glad the worst is over for you and the family. May the recovery time be short and complete. Love to all, Aunt Bobbie

  5. Jerry Hubbard says:
    September 4, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Rochell,

    I am really glad to hear you and your family are ok.

    I live in Colorado and I cannot even imagine what you are going thru.
    We have a few tornado’s but nothing like your situation.

    The only thing I can say is that God has something good going for you. It sounds like you will have a nearly new house and an experience to share like no other. A great opportunity to help someone else get through a similar experience.

    Some good always comes from these difficult times.

    God Bless you all and as everyone else has said “hang in there” something good is about to happen.

    Jerry Hubbard

  6. Nadiya says:
    September 6, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    Hello Rochelle

    I’m so glad you and your family are safe. I can only imagine what you are going thru and the enormity of what has to be done. My prayers are with you and your family. When hard times hit it really easy for me to think that I’ll never get out of it and all I want to do was to feel a normal day again . . .and soon enough as we’re fixing to get things back to normal. . .it does happen . . . so hang in there.

    Gators and snakes – -eeeeeekkkkkk!

    Nadiya

  7. Linda says:
    September 8, 2008 at 12:34 am

    Hi Sweet girl,
    I truly can’t believe what you and your precious family have been through. I remember playing at grandpa and grandma’s with you. I remember sleep-overs and playing at Seacliff Beach, I remember saying good-bye to my little cousin who was moving away- It seems inconceivable that this same little amazing cousin is dealing so bravely, so dedicatedly,so maturely as she recovers from a tremendous family emergency. You are truly a wonder to learn from- And I am so sorry for your upheaval and So thankful you are all safe. I love you dearly. Keep up the checklists and keep up the spirits because you are an inspiration and you are one heck of a turn-it-around and get it fixed girl!
    XOXOXOX
    Linda

  8. Yael says:
    September 9, 2008 at 12:51 am

    Glad to hear that you are all OK, if rather worn and weary. I sincerely hope that things will eventually get back to normal for you (better sooner than later). Keep up your spirits and know that your friends are thinking of you. Yael

    Yaels last blog post..Is Anyone Using Twitter?

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