By Eben Brown FOX News Radio Reporter
SPRING, TEXAS – The idea of flooding homes was foreign to Enchanted Oaks, a shade-rich, middle class subdivision north of Houston. The first homes on these block lanes went up about a half-century ago and some have been home to the same families through generations.
So, Korosh Jimenez was surprised to see two feet of water in the home he and his family have been living in for five years.
“I saw it come to the door, and I realized it would probably keep coming,” says Jimenez. “We packed up those last few things made it to the front, but we were already swimming in it.”
And so he grabbed his wife, his kids and his dogs and escaped. On foot. Making down the road a mile or so to the local Home Depot, where they took shelter in a display model tool shed until the next morning. It was enclosed and dry.
“The little tool shed saved us, so that was pretty sweet.”
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Donna Schultz and her 11 siblings were raised in the home she now lives in with her family. It’s just down the block from Jimenez, but she had more than double the water: Four and a half-feet filled her living room.
“Totally turns our house into a giant swimming pool,” jokes Schultz. “A.K.A ‘cesspool’ because of all the sewage.”
She, too, had never seen flooding as such in this neighborhood. It never even occurred to her, as Harvey would advance, she’d need to run from her own home.
“It was right at the foundation and my son-in-law said we need to have serious conversation about getting out of here.”
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Now both sets of neighbors are cleaning up. That means they’re tossing destroyed belongings to the curb and ripping out soaked and softened sheetrock. And what could be worse than being between jobs and not having flood insurance? Jimenez might have to use some small savings he’d hoped to use to start his own business.
“Pretty much all the belongings we’ve accumulated probably in the past 15 years,” notes Jimenez. “Bedroom set, furniture set, dining tables. My girl has some family heirlooms from Germany from when her family fled from there. Pretty priceless stuff.”
Schultz, however decided three years ago to buy a flood policy. She doesn’t remember what moved her to make the purchase. But even if she didn’t, she says she would keep positive.
“I’ve got my faith and I’ve got my family,” says Schultz. “You gotta move on, you can’t let this touch you. This is materialistic.”
Jimenez, too, will rebuild and stay in the neighborhood.
“Probably look into some flood insurance,” he winks.
Follow Eben Brown on Twitter: @FOXEbenBrown
