PALM BAY, Fla — The onslaught of water this week was too much for drainage systems in parts of Brevard County. Homes and cars were flooded out in Palm Bay, and many people are now trying to figure how to their lives back to normal.
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Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal met homeowners without flood insurance who could be on their own paying for this if federal or other aid doesn’t kick-in.
On Tuesday, the Action 9 team saw water pumps working overtime drying out streets and helping homeowners left devastated by flood waters that surrounded Cimarron Circle.
Homeowner Rob Joachim said, “We had to say, ‘Hey, it’s time to go’ because it just basically started coming in and we used the kayak to get some of our stuff out.”
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He and his family had three feet of water in their home on Monday. On Tuesday much of the water was gone, but the mess wasn’t. Walls are warped, furniture, bedding, even their cars were all soaked.
“Yeah, we just got to get rid of it because we don’t want the mold and all the debris,” Rob Joachim said.
They have car insurance, but their flood insurance lapsed two months ago.
Joachim explained, “It seemed like hurricane season was over. So I thought, well, I’ll wait and buy it like maybe six months later down the line… and this happened.”
They may be on their own for all the damage and plan to do much of the work themselves.
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For those with insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program recommends:
-Start the claim as soon as possible
-Take photos and videos of damaged items
-After documenting them, throw out things that risk your health like things that get moldy
-Dry out what you can
-Find a reputable repair company
The Joachim family spent all day Tuesday getting rid of the water, muck and damaged property. They’re trying to keep a positive attitude, praying as a family they can make it through this. They are working to minimize the damage, so they can get back to normal as soon as possible and hoping for some help through a GoFundMe that’s been set up.
Rob Joachim said, “It is what it is. We’re making the best of it.”
With or without insurance, if you hire someone, get a few quotes for the work. Also research the companies, especially if you’re dealing with someone who comes through the neighborhood offering to help.
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