Flood Cleanup Begins In Miami

Friday, July 6th 2007, 9:00 pm

By: News On 6

The heavy rain took a toll on many parts of Miami, washing out streets and homes. Now that the water is starting recede the cleanup process is underway. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports some are cleaning up the soggy mess, but the road to recovery will be a long one for many of them.

A few days ago the town of Miami was underwater.

â€œThis is one of our major floods, second most major flood we've had,â€ said Virgil Tarter with the City of Miami.

Now that the water is receding street crews are working extra hours in hopes of getting rid of any contamination. But they're not the only ones trying to pick up the pieces. Homeowners are at work too.

â€œThis is first time it's been in here since â€˜51 that I know, so we was hoping it wouldn't get in the house but it did,â€ Miami flood victim Rod Callahan said. â€œIt just got five inches in my house, but I guess it did some damage, structural damage, in the house. A couple of floors caved in.

Rob Callahan is one of the lucky ones. Some people lost everything, and many of those who did went to the American Red Cross for help. They say since July 3rd they've fed 300 people, and 54 people slept in the shelter Thursday night.

â€œI was in a first floor apartment and the water got all the way up the ceiling, so I've lost everything,â€ Miami resident Catie Meyer said.

Meyer, an NEO student, says without the Red Cross she would be homeless. Monday she will get to see if she can salvage anything from her water logged apartment, until then she waits not knowing how she will recover.

â€œIt's just one of those things,â€ Meyer said. â€œI don't know what to think, I don't know what to do, I'm at a loss for a lot of things right now.

Catie's story is not uncommon at the shelter. Many people at the shelter are in the same position, all of them in a waiting game, and many don't have flood insurance.

Meanwhile, some streets are still closed, but the street crews say they should reopen by Saturday.

Watch the video: Miami Residents Begin Recovery Process

For more flooding information, check out our STORM ZONE web page.