Evacuated 2011 - Day 17 - July 8, 2011

Today is day 17. We are still not able to get into our neighborhood to see the house. Maybe sometime next week, possibly this weekend if the river drops enough. I have met with FEMA and SBA and the appilcations for low interest loans are in process. I don't know if we will qualify , depends on damage, amount of loan and our income level my preclude us from loans.... we will see. The city is beginning to go into the recovery and repair mode. Many homes will be structurally damaged and will have to be destroyed. I have been told that many new homes are at risk. The walls, roofs and some of the support beams are made out of chipboard. This is less expensive and in some cases stronger than regular wood. That is, as long as the chipboard is dry. When wet, chipboard will act like a sponge, soaking up moisture, it then expands and when it dries, chipboard tends to disintegrate. Some newer homes in deep water are showing signs of this with roofs already starting to sag. The city and others are working on a new flood control plan which may call for the removal of more homes. There is no "buy out" plan out there for most people. the removal and/or repair of their homes will be up to the individuals. I would suspect that many people will walk waya from their homes. I suppose the removal then goes back to the mortgage company, not sure about that. As you clean up, debris needds to be sorted into 6 categories. Various contractors have been hired to remove it from the streets. All electrical together, regular garbage, construction debris, trees and green waste, etc. I am not sure where it is all going to be put...