First look at flood damage in Fremont as some families will never be able to return home

Nearly two weeks after flood waters overtook the southwest portion of Fremont, signs of the devastation are beginning to emerge.

Debris left behind by the latte River and water logged items pulled from homes litter the sidewalks.

“We’ve inspected 1,000 homes in the area that received some sort of flood damage, plus there’s probably another 100 businesses in the area that received flood waters,” Brian Newton, the Fremont City Administrator said.

Of the 1,000 homes inspected between 250 and 300 of them remain uninhabitable.

Many of the damaged homes are in the lake communities located just off the river, but damage could be seen as far as a mile inland.

City officials have been inspecting and tagging houses, determining whether or not families can return to their homes.

“Yellow and green means you can go ahead and live in the home while you’re fixing it and repairing the issues. Red unfortunately you cannot live in the home until it’s repaired.”

Homes tagged with red or yellow have had the gas or electricity shut off as their furnaces, water heaters, or electrical panels were damaged by flood waters.

Before people can start making repairs they have to have an estimate brought to the City.

“If it costs more than 50% of the home they will not be allowed to do that. That’s something in the flood regulations they are not allowed to do.”

The federal flood program prevents homeowners with 50% or more of their value in damage from making repairs– it’s an effort to mitigate repetitive insurance claims.

Homes with damage that extensive can make repairs only if they do something to prevent future flooding such as raising their home.

About a dozen families are expected to be in this situation and the City plans on working with them on repairs or relocation.

City officials estimate there’s between 10 and 15 million dollars in damages from flooding in the Fremont area.

As of last night, 125 people were still staying at a shelter in town because some neighborhoods remain inaccessible.