Norman Flood 2009

The Norman Flood 2009

I came home 2 weeks ago to find that we had a water leak somewhere. I assumed it was a sprinkler since Josh has been replacing them, I thought one just popped off. I only thought that because the lawn looked VERY wet. But when I opened up our garage door, I found water dripping from the door, then I thought it was our water softner or water heater because of where I saw the water in the garage. I had Josh on the phone telling him about the water. While talking on the phone I opened our door that leads into the house, only to discover that my first 2 thoughts of where the water was coming from was WRONG -- it was coming from the house because we had at least 3 inches of water EVERYWHERE!!

As I turned to go get my neighbor to help me find the problem and turn the water off, he was already half way up my drive way ready to help. As I was checking to see if the water was coming from the wash room, he ran into our bathroom and found the leak. I quickly called my parents because I didn't know what to do. I think I was getting ready to go into shock. While I was waiting for my parents, my neighbor went and got his 2 wet vacs. to help me start getting the water out. I don't know what I would have done if my neighbor hadn't been home when he was. I am so thankful for him, and especially my parents. My parents came and helped us call the insurance and figure out what needed to be done. Our insurance recommended a 24-hour clean up company. We called them because we needed that water out fast! The clean up crew was soooo helpful and stayed way into the morning getting our water up, putting up huge humidifiers and air blowers to help prevent molding. They also went around the house to see if any of the drywall had gotten wet, and unfortunately it had. So they had to rip up 6-12 inches of drywall and all baseboards around our house. It was quite emotional to see our newly painted house getting tore up. To prevent molding in our kitchen and other rooms, holes about the size of a quarter or a dollar coin was drilled in most of our kickboards. The guys were pretty confident and they got most of the water up from our carpet in the bedroom and thought it would be saved. (Oh, luckily our whole house is tile, except our bedroom and closet.) But the next morning when the managers came to see the damage, we were told the carpet had to come out. I wasn’t so heart broken over the carpet because we were going to replace it next year anyways. On Tuesday night when I was calling our insurance company filing the claim, the lady told me that this probably wouldn’t be covered by our insurance because it is considered maintance. So, that put Josh and I into a major depression (even more so, then the water being in the house), because we don’t have all that extra money for repairs. But the next morning we were relieved to find out that it will be covered. Thank goodness!!! So, for almost 4 days, our house had at least 10 huge humidifiers and atleast 12 air movers. These were all to help prevent molding. That house was so hot!!!

We had an insurance adjuster come last week and we should be hearing soon from the insurance what they will cover and how much they will give us for the damage and repairs. We got a copy of the invoice from the company who came and cleaned, it cost nearly $7000.00!! I couldn’t believe how much they charge. Josh and my dad say that they are in the wrong business and need to head up a clean up business to make that much money in just a few short days. Besides the cosmetic damage of the home, the only “real” things that were destroyed was Josh’s camera (the one I gave him for his birthday this past year), his camera lens, his college graduation diploma, our new dog bed (we were in the process of adopting a lab), a portable DVD player and our wedding album. We have a lot of things that were wet, but it’s amazing we didn’t lose more items. I’m mad about the camera and wedding album, but they can both be replaced rather easily. It just gives me an excuse to re-do my wedding album with my cricut machine.

We are so grateful for all the help that my parents have given us. If they hadn’t been here, we would have to be in a hotel till our house is finished. Heavenly Father has really helped us A LOT the last few weeks. I’m not saying it’s been easy, but considering the circumstances, we are doing good.

Below are a few pictures from our flood:































This is what powered all the humidifiers and dryers for 3 days:



(I would love this big generator for the next hurricane season)