Flood Victims Face Uncertain Futures

Aug. 30--After Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on South East Texas, flood victims are trying to prepare themselves for the ordeal of rebuilding their lives in the coming months.

Melissa Willis, who lives in Aransas Pass, 22 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, is cleaning up and trying to get her damaged home habitable.

For now, the home lacks electricity, water, or sewer service.

Willis, who is spending nights at a friend's house an hour away, gets up early to go to the house she shares with her four children to try to make minor repairs.

She said a few of her neighbors had backup generators that allowed them to stay.

She has already applied for FEMA assistance, but believes the federal government will probably go to areas, such as neighboring Rockport, that suffered the most damage first.

"It seems like FEMA is coming in," Willis said.

She plans on using plastic to shore up her ceiling, until it can be fixed properly. She also said drywall throughout her house needs replacing.

The clean-up will take time, Willis said, as the storm toppled power lines and large oak trees.

Most of the oak trees were removed; she plans to use some of the wood for her fireplace.

"My house has tons and tons of damage, but I have family," Willis said. "It's like a war zone."

On Wednesday, Willis was busy removing food from her refrigerator before it spoiled. She also unplugged her appliances to avoid a power surge when electricity is restored to the area.

Although it will take a long time for things to return to normal, she commended work crews for getting the roads cleaned up and drivable.

The restaurant Willis manages was also damaged to the extent that it had to be closed for now. She said work is underway to repair the windows and the roof, and to restore power, so that she and other employees can return to work.

"It's kind of unbelievable," she said. "It's kind of surreal."

Ted Jackson, formerly of Michigan, said his employer called employees back to work on Wednesday, even though some people in the area were thinking of evacuating again. Officials have told them a levee might not hold much longer.

Jackson said he tried to return to work the day after the storm, but conditions on the freeway off-ramps made the trek impossible.

Jackson, who lives in an apartment, called himself one of the fortunate ones, as his place never lost power and still has running water. Some of his neighbors have been without power and water for days.

"I am doing what I can," he said. "Coming from Michigan, I am used to the winter storms that keep people (sheltered)."

Alicia Smith, who also used to live in Michigan, is staying with a friend. Her family has not been able to get back home to check out the damage.

But what she has seen on television worries her, as a street in back of her home reportedly was flooded. She has also seen a video in which the street in front of their townhouse was completely under water.

"We did a claim," Smith said. "I filed a claim on my car, just in case."

Smith, a teacher, wants to return to work, but she doesn't know how much damage, if any, occurred at her school.

She said it was a blessing that she and others could find a place to stay to ride out the storm.

"We are just trying to see how it goes and what our homeowner's insurance covers," she said, adding she may apply for FEMA funds.

Smith is hopeful things turn out OK, so their lives can return to normal much faster.

"It's like a waiting game," she said.

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