The severe rain that hit Athens County in May did much damage to the homes and businesses in the Glouster and Trimble areas. For many folks, though, it was not just the week worth of rain that bothered them -it was the weeks and months after the rain they had to spend cleaning up.
Beth and Kenny Shank of Jacksonville are just two of the many people who are still recovering from the flood that tore through Glouster almost two months ago.
This is the second time that floodwater has seeped into the Shank home. Because their house is not in the flood plain, they do not have flood insurance.
However, because of the amount of damage in the region, those hit by the flood, including the Shanks, were eligible to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Shanks said all they had to do was apply for the financial help.
FEMA has helped us out both times
Beth said. They gave us enough to cover the cost of damage.
Even though there were only seven inches of water in the Shanks' house, the damage was extensive. The money from FEMA helped to pay for new carpeting in every room, among other things, she said.
The Family Dollar in Glouster also fell victim to the flooding in May. The store was shut down for more than four weeks because of the two feet of water that swirled around inside the store for about 12 hours.
This is the third time since 1996 the store has experienced flooding, but was the hardest it had been hit, said Ann Love, the store's manager. A majority of the cleanup was completed by Family Dollar employees, with help from the building's landlord.
Before it could be approved by the Athens County Health Department to be reopened, the dry wall had to be replaced and painted, all of the shelving had to be sanitized and much work had to be done on the floors, Love said.
She said her first reaction to flooding in Family Dollar was crying.
We have improved this store so much by expanding and remodeling she said. You put all that hard work into something and in a matter of minutes it is gone. It's heartbreaking.
While the flood affected many homes and businesses in the Glouster and Trimble areas, one restaurant was hit especially hard.
Kasler's Family Restaurant was taken out by the water and has yet to reopen. Restaurant co-owner Katherine Kasler said the eatery has been closed since May 19 because of the three feet of water that rushed into the restaurant. So far, cleanup work has been done by family members and employees.
We are just waiting for the insurance to settle to see what can be done
Kasler said.
Kasler said she is unsure whether they will have to rebuild the restaurant or if they can just repair the existing building. The restaurant lost much of its equipment in the flood, including ovens, freezers and food.
We are just so anxious to get open
she said.
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Penny McClelland
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Joey Hook of Glouster rides his bike through floodwaters May 19. State officials declared a state of emergency in Athens and Perry counties after heavy rains flooded several towns, including Glouster and Trimble. In Trimble Township, 18 homes were destroy
