Wow.......been gone for what seems like weeks, but really not that long. A couple of weeks ago, my community experienced a terrible flood (the effects from Hurricane Ike, I'm told). Anyway, we live in Indiana and my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods were completely devastated from a flood which caused complete devastation. People that have lived here for up to 50 years have never seen flooding like this. We live in a four level home, and two of our levels were wiped out, with up to 13 feet of water in our home. It is so heart wrenching to have to go through and throw away away about half of what you have. On a positive note, I was able to save most of my pictures, which I thought would be permanently damaged from the water, but apparently not, so a saving grace.

We are still not back in our home as we have to replace the hot water heater and furnace, in addition to completely tearing out the walls that were affected. We hope to back in our home in a few days.

Anyway, any encouraging words from those who have experienced this? I certainly have empathy with anyone who has been through anything like this. Baby steps to a complete recovery!

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Crittles, I am so sorry you had damage from the flooding effects of IKE! ((((((HUGS))))) Just take things one day at a time.

Make lists of everything that was damaged. Take lots of pictures. Do not throw anything out until you have taken a picture of it and inventoried it. Insurance will want you to place all lost items on an inventory. In the inventory, include serial numbers of the products and if you can remember the price of each item and where you bought it. If you are not doing the work to repair yourself, only use local contractors. Keep your receipts for your repairs and replacements of items.

I too was impacted by IKE. We had alot of damage to our home. Dealing with the aftermath of the Hurricane, damage to your home and property, insurance, shady contractors, has been a real eye opener!

Keep us posted on your progress and your experiences. Best Wishes for a fast, easy rebuild of your home.

I hope the rain predicted today doesn't add to your woes.

Hopefully you've talked to the persons at the FEMA one stop sites that they have set up to get financial help with whatever you're insurance won't cover.

I am in Porter county, in an area that basically escaped the very worst of the deluge.
We certainly got enough rain and flooding to be worrisome but I was not flooded at my apartment complex itself.
But I certainly know about the damage in surrounding areas,
Especially Lake County. My heart goes out to you and I hope the rebuilding goes smoothly.

It is kind of mind boggeling that a Hurricane could flood NW Indiana.
Apparently the wet sysem of Ike running north collided with a storm system coming out of the NW and greated a 500 year flood here.
As a result we got more rain from Ike than Huston did according to the newspapers. Thankfully we did NOT get the wind too!

Hugs to those with flooded homes in all 3 flooded NW Indiana counties.

Having been declaired Federal Disaster Areas, you'd think the people would know about the problems.
But apparently nobody in other areas understands how bad the flooding was in NW Indiana.

If you are looking at FEMA to help they won't do it unless you are without income or insurance. The one stop FEMA centers or at least the one I went to are a JOKE! They give you little help or information and pass you on to other people who are equally unhelpful!