Flood victims hope for funds

Web posted August 3, 2000

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By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

Brenda Connor and Steve Lovell are roommates by default.

Steve Lovell walks past furniture that was trashed during June 20 flooding on Rozella Street, behind Regency Mall. The chairs he is carrying are going into storage while he stays with a neighbor, Brenda Connor, because his house is unlivable. JENNIFER BRUNO/STAFF

Their homes, which are located behind Regency Mall, were ravaged by flash flood waters that rose from nearby Rocky Creek June 20.

These unlikely roommates are just two of the more than 70 applicants from across the county requesting emergency relief money awarded by Gov. Roy Barnes last month. A single air-conditioned room gets them through the day-by-day process of cleaning up and sorting through what's left of their belongings.

``I lost everything I ever worked for,'' Mr. Lovell said. ``When the water comes and hits that creek, it backs right up. It can't take the water. It can't take it.''

Mr. Lovell, 52, after renting a Farris Street home for more than six years, was forced from his home when flood waters undermined its foundation. Ms. Conner, 59, who lives just up the street, invited him to stay in her Rozella Street home, despite sunken floors, swelled cabinets and water-damaged walls.

``I don't want to move. I moved here when I was 11 or 12 - I've lived other places - but I always came back here,'' Ms. Connor said. ``It's my house.''

Relief applications: 71 applications have been submitted 20 are ineligible for relief money 51 are eligible for some relief money Of those eligible: 33 are uninsured 26 are displaced 14 are uninsured and displaced 19 are uninsured and not displaced 11 are displaced and have flood insurance 7 are not displaced and have flood insurance To report flood damage, call the Emergency Management Agency at 821-1155.

She says her house never had flooded until commercial development, including nearby car dealerships and Regency Mall, began cropping up in the mid-70s. Since 1990, flood waters have infiltrated her home nearly 20 times.

Emergency Management Agency officials are spending this week reviewing the applications for relief money and visiting applicants' homes in an effort to determine how money is distributed. EMA Director David Dlugolenski visited Ms. Connor and Mr. Lovell on Monday evening to continue documenting the latest damages to their homes.

``Somebody finally cares about us down here in the hole,'' Ms. Connor said of the emergency money. ``Nobody ever does anything. They make promises, but they don't keep them.''

On July 10, $105,000 was given to the Georgia EMA to distribute to qualified Richmond County residents in need of immediate assistance. Money is set to be awarded in coming weeks, with primary consideration given to those with uninhabitable residences, those with uninsured and damaged residences, and those displaced by flood waters.

The maximum grant is $5,000.

Of the 51 applicants who have been deemed eligible for emergency relief, 26 were displaced from their homes.

And even dramatic losses, such as those of Mr. Lovell and Ms. Connor, do not ensure a full $5,000 check.

Most of the claims filed are in excess of $500, Mr. Dlugolenski said.

``I've reviewed every application so far,'' he said. ``There may be four or five that will qualify for the entire $5,000.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.