Homeowners begin cleanup after flood damage

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Clean-up was happening around Lowndes County Monday.

Homeowners that saw a wave of floodwaters come into their homes are now left with a dangerous mess.

Now, some are even having to find a new place to live right now.

Mason Street and Curtis Drive in east Columbus saw the most homes impacted from the nearly five inches of rain that recently fell.

It may not be something most people worry about but these homeowners live in fear each time there’s a storm.

“It’s kind of overwhelming and you can’t process it,” said homeowner Eva Hollis.

Everywhere Hollis looks in her house, she sees mold.

The toxic walls and floors were created after wave after wave of rain fell outside her neighborhood.

“Anytime water crosses the street we just know we are about to the flood,” said Hollis.

Hollis’ home sits just beyond the Magby Creek, which is known to flood during heavy rain.

“It was trickling into the ditch, so I was like hey ditches are moving and it wasn’t high up in the ditch so I didn’t suspect anything,” said Hollis.

But soon enough, she was met with water at her doorstep.

“I came home sat on my bed and played with my two-year-old with some alphabet cards and literally ten minutes and water was coming in my house,” said Hollis.

That’s when she and her family used whatever they could to stop the rising water.

“We were trying to put towels and things at the doors thinking if it comes in it won’t be bad, but it flooded in and it came all the way around the house. It actually started seeping under the walls. You start putting things up on beds as high as you can get it and it’s still coming in,” said Hollis.

The rising waters caught Hollis and others off guard.

Lowndes County EMA Director Cindy Lawrence said the once overflowing ditches have to be cleaned out.

“Public works and road department going around making sure the covers are clean there is no debris in the ditches that would cause damages like backwater from the floods,” said Lawrence.

In the meantime, the Hollis family had to find a temporary place to live while the dangerous mold is removed.

“We have a great church family who came out and immediately and started to help,” said Hollis.

Several rescues happened in the county this weekend.

If you live in a flood-prone area, EMA Director Cindy Lawrence said it’s best to always have a plan in case the water starts to quickly rise.