CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Now that the floodwaters have started to recede in parts of Conway, some neighbors are having to figure out how they’ll pay to repair their homes’ damages without flood insurance or FEMA assistance.
Jimmy Hammond has lived in Conway his whole life, and Monday afternoon, he spent time repairing his childhood home from the damages caused by flooding after Hurricane Florence.
“We have pressure washed the outside of the house, we mixed the chlorine, diluted it; we’re getting it looking better,” Hammond said.
According to Hammond, the water rose to just below the floor joists of his home.
“(The house) didn’t get washed away,” Hammond said.
The lifelong Conway resident is thankful the damage wasn’t as bad as he had prepared for, however, he will likely have to pay for repair costs completely out of pocket.
“I would’ve bought flood insurance, but we’ve never had water come up this high at all,” Hammond said.
According to Hammond, FEMA will not assist him because the home that was damaged is his second home and not his primary dwelling. He says paying to fix his childhood home on his own could throw a wrench into his holiday plans.
“Christmas might be short,” Hammond said. “We have to reassess different things that you need to get done.”
Despite this, Hammond is determined to make the repairs, and he is thankful that the damage was not worse.
“I’m just tickled to death,” Hammond said. “It’s the house I grew up in. I’d like to try to keep it or sell it. I was very fortunate.”
