ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Homeowners in the Rio Pinar Golf and County Club Estates said Tuesday they are continuing to clean out their homes and throw out damaged belongings.
David and Tracy Cole live on Pinar Drive and said water filled into their homes.
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“We are going to be starting from scratch again, and everything has been ruined,” David Cole said.
With water pouring into their home, the family said they had no choice but to use kayaks to get to higher ground.
“This water was up to our ribs trying to cross, and then we had to come back across to get our crates out of our garage,” Tracy Cole said. “No lights, get the crates, get them over there to get the dogs in the crates. It was a nightmare.”
Once the family was able to return home, they began the process of ripping out sheetrock to save their home. The family also set up a tent, offering food to other neighbors in need of resources as they also cleaned out their homes.
“A lot of our friends came out of the woodwork and the people I work with. I cannot believe how many people from work have shown up out of nowhere and brought food, stayed, packed a few boxes,” Tracy Cole said.
Orange County was hit with up to 16 inches of rain, leading to flooded roads, apartments and homes across some areas following Ian’s arrival, according to county officials.
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