A Kentucky couple bought their first home together about three weeks before floodwater pushed through the property and left them tearing out damaged materials to keep mold from spreading.
Nathan Parson and Presley Carnley purchased their Hunter Lane home in Brandenburg shortly before weekend storms submerged parts of the neighborhood, according to WAVE.
The couple said they had been told before buying that the property had flooded in the past, but that the problem had been resolved. Parson said they were told a dry well had been installed near a willow tree and were assured the issue was fixed.
For buyers, past flooding, drainage work, yard grading, sump systems, dry wells, and neighborhood water flow can become costly soon after closing if the next heavy storm exposes an unresolved problem.
The Water Rose Fast
Parson and Carnley told WAVE they kept moving belongings higher as water came into the home. Within about two hours, they said, the water had risen to chest level.
The couple has since gutted the home completely to reduce the risk of mold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to clean up and dry a flooded home within 24 to 48 hours if possible, and to throw away items that cannot be cleaned and dried quickly.
Another Family Had Just Moved In
Across the street on School Side Drive, Tray Benham said his family had moved in Thursday. He told WAVE they had just closed on a house in Indigo Valley and were in the process of buying the Brandenburg property while moving belongings inside.
Benham said the losses included old cars, guitars, furniture, and possessions he had collected for 35 years. When the water moved toward the house, he woke his children and left, saying there was no time to move anything but the kids.
The Cleanup Is Only Part of the Recovery
Прикажи ову објаву у апликацији Instagram
WDRB reported that Kentucky’s widespread flooding forced water rescues, evacuations, and local emergency declarations in several counties, including Meade County.
Gov. Andy Beshear said four people died in the flooding, including three in Madison County and one in Jackson County, according to WDRB and The Associated Press.
Flooded homeowners should photograph and video damage before cleanup, contact insurance quickly, save receipts, record what was removed, and keep contractor estimates, mold-remediation notes, and repair records together before walls, flooring, furniture, and personal belongings are discarded.