“My world just come to an end just about,” Iva Sue Casinger tells the 2 Works for You problem solvers.
Casinger and her family won't be celebrating the holidays like usual this year.
Six months after flood waters receded, they are still living in disaster with no end in sight.
"Every bit of the flooring in the house is just like this - that old particle board that they use in these things once it gets wet it's gone!” said Charles Casinger, Iva Sue’s son.
The Casinger family lives in a mobile home in Webbers Falls.
"We moved in back in March," Charles said.
In May floodwaters from torrential storms roared across town.
Six months later you can see the high water marks halfway up the surrounding homes.
Even though this double-wide mobile home sits higher than most in town, it also took on water
"We had a major, major flood," Charles said.
“It’s devastating to see your lifetime of collecting memories, things that my kids gave me, my friends, that I treasured and use. (To) watch it go down the river.” said Iva Sue.
For Iva Sue, the ordeal is still very emotional.
The floodwaters stayed in the house for more than a week back in the spring.
The water destroyed the walls, floors and everything it touched.
"We have filed for FEMA. I've been turned down 11 times now,” Charles said.
Charles and his mother don't have insurance to help build back and live on a limited income.
Like many of our neighbors in need right now, they're hoping charitable organizations can help them fix their homes.
Today, they're still living in a tiny, cold, camper parked in the yard.
We spoke with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, one of the major organizations helping families like the Casinger’s.
Catholic Charities says they’ve been struggling to help storm and flood victims this time around.
“ We need volunteers to help do the labor on this,” said Marylynn Lufkin, director of disaster relief.
Catholic Charities needs donated materials, cash donations and people willing to roll up their sleeves and help.
Charles and Iva Sue are holding out hope that someone will come to help them.
"Like I said, we're not gonna give up," Charles said.
“Even though it looks pretty grim right now, somewhere, somebody's gonna have a heart enough to help us and we can get back in our home," said Iva Sue.
To help Catholic Charities Disaster Relief.
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