With winter on the way, some people are still living in homes damaged by flooding this spring. Authorities in Cass County this week checked out a family with three children living in a heavily damaged home. The deputy saw enough to pass the case along to Cass County social services.
But, this family is likely not alone in living in a home needing major repair. Captain Rick Majerus of the Cass County Sheriff's Department tells me, based on what he's seen near the river, there are people living in homes they shouldn't be but often they're waiting on a flood buyout, or insurance payment. And they feel they don't have another choice.
The deputy who investigated the Harwood home found evidence that squirrels were getting inside, and even a duck was in the basement. Majerus says this case falls under health and welfare laws, and when they're called to check out a living situation, they have to get social services involved if it's serious. Even though they understand many people who stay in damaged homes do so because they see it as their only option.
Capt. Rick Majerus, Cass. Co. Sheriff's Office “They need a place to live. They still have to make the mortgage payment so they have to make a decision. If I walk away from this and turn it back to the bank' it's gonna hurt their credit and their chances of buying another home so they're kinda in limbo right now either waiting for insurance payment or a buyout or something to come their way so they can move on with their life.”
We spoke with the homeowner in Harwood today. He tells us flooding heavily damaged the lower level of the family’s split-level, and they've had to keep everything on the main floor since the flood.
