FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Months after a historic flood destroyed hundreds of homes across Fort Bend County, many residents are still trying to get back on their feet.
Nathan Garza has spent the past few months trying to rebuild his grandparents’ home on Cumings Road in Rosenberg. He says several feet of water got in, destroying the home they lived in for nearly 40 years.
“When you walked in the house, there was an inch thick of mud everywhere, all over the furniture and the beds,” Garza said.
The family did not have flood insurance. Money from FEMA helped cover the costs to buy new wood, sheet rock and insulation, but he said they will have a hard time purchasing all new appliances and furniture. “Everything they built up for years and years is gone and it's really hard,” Garza said.
The historic flood impacted about 1,400 residents across Fort Bend County.
“A lot of people think the recovery is over, and it's not,” said Jeff Braun of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
The county recently created Fort Bend Recovers. It collects donations to help flood victims get the basic necessities. “We have people now who are getting their homes repaired maybe little by little and at some point they're going to need new furniture and appliances,” Braun said.
The Fort Bend Recovers donation warehouse is located at 1609 Avenue G in Rosenberg. If you would like to donate, please call 832-449-3500. New and used furniture is accepted.
You can also make a monetary donation by visiting www.unitedwayhouston.org/fb-flood.
To learn more about Fort Bend Recovers, visit www.fortbendrecovers.org/donate/.