CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Damage assessments are continuing across our area following Tuesday’s deadly floods which killed four.
Friday, those efforts focused on neighborhoods in Brainerd.
Kayla Anderson says she along with her family have lived on Haney Drive near I-24 for two years.
She described the harrowing escape her husband and dog had to make during the height of Tuesday’s storm as she had gone to the store with one of her daughters.
Anderson said, “Within ten minutes of me leaving to get down there, the water was rushing in and my husband called me and said, “There’s no way you’re going to be able to get home, stay where you’re at.” The water was up to his ribs and he had to swim over to the church that is behind us to get to higher ground.”
What’s left behind is heartbreaking wreckage.
Anderson described, “We came back on the 13th and walked into like the floors were covered in debris, it smelled like mold, it was, the sheetrock are damaged, the floors are damaged…. There’s no way that it’s habitable. We’re not going to be able to come back here.”
Debris piles are a common sight in the Brainerd area surrounding the interstate. You can see furniture being left on the side of the road, floorboards being ripped up, even children’s books being ruined by the floodwaters.
Hamilton County emergency management were surveying damage in Brainerd on Friday after surveying the East Ridge on Thursday.
Amy Maxwell of the emergency management says these surveys are critical for potential aid from the state or federal government.
“If we meet that threshold of $1.6 million, then these residents and these businesses can apply for low interest loans,” Maxwell said.
She added that through the extensive surveys that, “We are just amazed with the amount of damage we are continuing to see here especially in the Chattanooga area.”
For the majority of residents like the Andersons who did not have flood insurance, that help is needed as soon as possible.
Anderson said, “I’m just thankful our children were not home, and I’m so sad my husband was here but grateful he is alive.”
She is asking those who have storm damage inside to email stormdamage@hamiltontn.gov as soon as possible or call your city’s government office.
