Catonsville house only one deemed ‘unsafe’ after flooding in Baltimore County
But that streak changed for the couple in two hours when a record rainfall of more than 10 inches on Sunday caused deadly flash flooding throughout the region, especially in historic
A failed storm drain on the Broadwaters' street overflowed, water rushed down their driveway, through the yard with the force of the water pushing through the garage to the basement. It blew out the back wall and damaged the foundation of an addition on the home.
Their backyard was flooded, the gate of the backyard fence was cracked, and the boiler, water heater and furnace were damaged.
"I just thought, 'what is happening,' it was shocking," said
As the water was forcing open their garage door and the basement wall collapsed, the Broadwaters said it sounded like someone was breaking into their house.
"When I started leaning out windows and seeing what was really happening, I was shocked. I saw the side of my house was ripped apart, it was sticking out,"
Licensed contractor
On the surface, it looked like it was business as usual on
At
"I knew that there was an addition that was built over the bearing wall on the main floor ... so I made sure that I had the house supported enough to the point where the floor wouldn't collapse," Jeon said in an email, translated from Korean through his daughter.
The next day, on Monday, the structure was deemed uninhabitable by
As of
Sunday night, the Broadwaters stayed in their home; nobody from the county had yet told them the building was unsafe and Jeon had kept it from collapsing beneath their feet.
The next morning the fire department told the couple that the the building was uninhabitable. Since then, Kay and
"Literally, Sunday night, Kwangsoo held up our house,"
Other homes in the
Additionally, four roads remain closed from rain and flood damage:
Some parts of
With storms returning to the region, and looking ahead to the potential for more wet summer months, county officials are urging caution, especially when dealing with the potential for rushing water.
"Our
Claims process
As water was still entering the house,
The Broadwaters said they think they may have a case with the county because it appeared to them that the flooding in their home would not have been as severe had the county storm drain on their street not overflowed. On Tuesday, the Broadwaters called the Baltimore County Claims Management office and gave an oral interview. They're waiting for the office to mail them a claims form.
Each claim filed to the county is investigated and evaluated by the county, she said. The county pays out if it is found to be at fault for injury or property damage.
She said a resident has three years to complete the claims process and that there is no maximum amount the county would pay out if it was found to be at fault. Compensation is relative to the claim, she said.
Watley added that anyone who feels they need assistance after the storm, either with food or temporary shelter, can call the county at 410-887-2222.
County Councilman
In a statement, Gov.
In the meantime,
Residents can also take their debris to a temporary drop-off center at the Benjamin Banneker Historical Center and Park, at
After a record rainfall on Sunday caused deadly flash flooding throughout the region, especially in historic
'We have our faith'
The Broadwaters have had to remove carpet, drywall, insulation, hundreds of pounds of documents, materials and mementos from their waterlogged basement, but they haven't gone at it alone.
In addition to the emergency assistance the family got Sunday night from Jeon and the visit from the county to evaluate the building, the Broadwaters received house calls from at least two dozens friends and neighbors Monday who helped them clear out damaged property and get what was salvageable to a dry place.
"Obviously it's a tough thing to see," said
Nichols said he and his father went and helped with the "grunt work" the Monday after the storm, carrying wet and damaged material to dumpsters while Jeon did "the technical work" of making sure the structure was temporarily secure.
"Dan is one of those awesome guys that is just always thinking about other people first, and the same is true with Kay," Nichols said. "They've spent a career helping other people. It was nice to be able to give back to them."
"They would do anything for anybody and always have their whole life," she said. "It was basically a no-brainer decision. Everybody just rallied" to provide food, assistance and moral support.
Between having lost so much from the flood and from some recent family emergencies, including the recent death of a relative,
"We have our faith, which keeps us from feeling despair,"
This story has been updated.
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A ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the opening of
A ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the opening of
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As waters receded in
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State's top education official declines again to approve White as
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