MARION COUNTY – Flood victims displaced from their homes several months ago in Mullins were finally able to return home this week.
People living in Mack T. Hines Apartments told News 13 in November they felt abandoned because they weren’t getting any assistance from FEMA.
Hines Ellison says he remembers the moment when the flood waters took over his home.
“The water came up to a little bit lower than this light, about right here,” said Ellison, a flood victim.
Back in November, Ellison was forced to move out of his home. He said he felt abandoned and had nowhere to go.
“I didn’t. I didn’t know where I was going to go. It’s kind of rough you know when one morning you’re home and then the next morning you don’t know where you’re going to go,” said Ellison.
In November, residents had signs on their doors saying they needed to evacuate, but now it’s a completely different story.
As people move back into their homes, they said they could not be happier.
“I’m glad to be back home, I’ll tell you that. There ain’t no place like home,” said Ellison.
Like many of the flood victims, Hines lost nearly everything. He said the new won’t replace the old, but he’s happy to have a place to call home.
“I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. You know, at least I can come here and lay down and go to sleep and I don’t have to worry about it,” said Hines.
Although flood victims were denied assistance from FEMA because it was considered localized flooding, the housing complex was able to gut the apartments and help provide furniture to their returning residents.
