Flood effects still linger

BY ROBBIE WARD

Times-Shamrock Writer

Joe and Betty Sturek’s backyard paradise of lush, green grass with occasional deer and other animals visiting has lost some of its luster a year after flooding from theSusquehanna Riverdamaged their Halstead home.

Much of the grass remains too soggy to cut and has grown tall, taking away some of the scenic view.

“It’s too spongy to even put a lawn mower on it,” said Sturek, 82. “The grass has grown up and doesn’t look as nice.”

The Stureks have returned to sitting on their balcony facing the backyard and enjoy the experience but wish it felt the same as before Tropical Storm Lee redefined their sense of normalcy.

Last September, floodwater filled the cellar of theirMain Streethouse inSusquehannaCounty, forcing Sturek, 92, to wade through the water to turn off breakers for equipment he used as a wood shop downstairs. They lost their furnace and hot water heater but have since had it replaced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

More than 58,000 people and businesses statewide applied for FEMA disaster assistance associated with Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene. Many area residents are still waiting to get occupancy permits to return to their homes.

Sturek no longer works in his shop, saying he’s too tired for it.

Sitting on her front porch, Sturek, said she still worries if another flood will happen. The flood a year ago wasn’t the first one they’ve experienced. In 2006, the area flooded so much they lost a car and saw people passing in front of their house in rowboats. She said she believes flooding in the area will happen again, possibly in her lifetime.

“It’s just a matter of when,” she said.

But Sturek promised her husband they wouldn’t leave the home where he has lived since 1956. A World War II Navy veteran, Sturek said recovering after the flood takes a toll that’s hard to calculate, but said he lost weight during the flood.

“It knocks the health right out of you,” he said.

Sturek spends much of his time these days resting. On the day interviewed, he said it was a bad day, one when he felt more tired than usual. He still struggles to recover from injuries from falling out of his attic more than two years ago. He said he’s too tired to go anywhere else, even if another flood happens.

“I’m going to sit here and watch it and hope it doesn’t come too high,” he said.