Post by melody on Feb 6, 2008 8:53:53 GMT -5
Flooded again: Mansfield copes with losses for second time in six months
By LISA MILLER
News Journal
MANSFIELD -- Ron Harvey lost a day of work and his patience Tuesday when his Sixth Street business was flooded for the second time in six months.
Harvey's business, R&R Cleaning and Restoration, provides services in nine counties for the Area Agency on Aging and other organizations.
After getting five feet of water in his business last summer, Harvey had only five inches to contend with after Tuesday morning's storm. Still, three feet of water surrounded his building at the bottom of a hill, keeping him from getting out with his vehicle.
He said he has talked to city officials, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, state Rep. Jay Goyal and others.
"They know it's a problem," Harvey said of the flooding he has experienced four times in two years. "Now every heavy rain ... we get nailed down here."
He wondered "why the city ain't down here so the water won't invade my shop."
Harvey said he was told some time ago that concerns for aquatic life led to limited clearing of nearby Touby Run. Rather than deal with the Environmental Protection Agency, Harvey said, "We just let it go."
By late morning, Juanita Brooks was pretty calm considering she lost her furnace and water heater while being flooded out again.
"Aggravated," the Sixth Street woman said of having three or four feet of water in her basement. "I'm OK."
The August flood soaked her home with eight feet of water in the basement and 27 inches in her living room.
"I lost my car again. It's sitting out there flooded," Brooks said.
Tuesday she missed work at the Holiday Inn, and two of her children couldn't get to school. Finding someone to repair the furnace was moot Tuesday morning, because no one could get to her house.
Brooks hasn't gotten any money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the last round of high water. She's considering moving from her home of 20 years.
"I just can't lose everything again," she said. "I love my old house. It was beautiful."
By mid-afternoon, City Engineer Jim DeSanto said, crews cleaned up the debris and opened catch basins. He said the city has been trying to secure federal funding to acquire some of the residential property in the flood plain. However, the amount and when that money would be available is unknown.
DeSanto said the city encourages people to consider the National Flood Insurance program. He said it's an expensive option, but may be worthwhile for those repeatedly hit by flooding.
mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS01/802060323
By LISA MILLER
News Journal
MANSFIELD -- Ron Harvey lost a day of work and his patience Tuesday when his Sixth Street business was flooded for the second time in six months.
Harvey's business, R&R Cleaning and Restoration, provides services in nine counties for the Area Agency on Aging and other organizations.
After getting five feet of water in his business last summer, Harvey had only five inches to contend with after Tuesday morning's storm. Still, three feet of water surrounded his building at the bottom of a hill, keeping him from getting out with his vehicle.
He said he has talked to city officials, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, state Rep. Jay Goyal and others.
"They know it's a problem," Harvey said of the flooding he has experienced four times in two years. "Now every heavy rain ... we get nailed down here."
He wondered "why the city ain't down here so the water won't invade my shop."
Harvey said he was told some time ago that concerns for aquatic life led to limited clearing of nearby Touby Run. Rather than deal with the Environmental Protection Agency, Harvey said, "We just let it go."
By late morning, Juanita Brooks was pretty calm considering she lost her furnace and water heater while being flooded out again.
"Aggravated," the Sixth Street woman said of having three or four feet of water in her basement. "I'm OK."
The August flood soaked her home with eight feet of water in the basement and 27 inches in her living room.
"I lost my car again. It's sitting out there flooded," Brooks said.
Tuesday she missed work at the Holiday Inn, and two of her children couldn't get to school. Finding someone to repair the furnace was moot Tuesday morning, because no one could get to her house.
Brooks hasn't gotten any money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the last round of high water. She's considering moving from her home of 20 years.
"I just can't lose everything again," she said. "I love my old house. It was beautiful."
By mid-afternoon, City Engineer Jim DeSanto said, crews cleaned up the debris and opened catch basins. He said the city has been trying to secure federal funding to acquire some of the residential property in the flood plain. However, the amount and when that money would be available is unknown.
DeSanto said the city encourages people to consider the National Flood Insurance program. He said it's an expensive option, but may be worthwhile for those repeatedly hit by flooding.
mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NEWS01/802060323