‘How do you even fix that?’: Conway family’s home warped after flooding recedes

Jess White inherited his Sherwood community house on Busbee Street from his mom. It was a family home right on the edge of Crabtree Swamp that had been in his family for generations.

Now, flooding threatens his ability to continue living there. Floodwater warped the wood and left an odor throughout the home.

In past flooding events, water never reached the house. The flooding following Hurricane Florence was different. The waters crept into his home, leaving behind a destroyed floor and mold.

“How do you even fix that?” White asked looking over a common room.

On Monday, water still pooled beneath the house and his actual pool was entirely underwater, like most of his backyard. While some rooms had drywall, the main rooms are lined with wood. Many of the floor boards were bent, pushed up by the floodwaters.

White recently was injured in a car wreck, making it difficult for him to rip out his washed-out carpet Monday morning. And to add injury to insult, his dog died over the weekend while his house was flooded.

White is starting to do what he can. A friend helped him remove the carpet from the bedrooms, and he is hoping to apply for federal help from FEMA.

His mom passed away four years ago from cancer, but she fought it hard and continued to remain active in the community. White says he needs that spirit now to overcome the challenge he faces in restoring the family home.

“I’m just glad she is not here to see this,” he said looking out over his flooded property.

This story was originally published October 1, 2018 at 7:05 PM.