A family in Ramona is hard at work trying to repair the flood damage their home sustained during last week’s storms, and they’re worried incoming weather will do even more harm.
The Pearsall family’s short-term goal is to save their house. They already have a giant hole in their roof, and they also ripped up flooring and cut out 16 inches of drywall from every wall in the house.
Their home lies in the flood plain and was inundated with water during last week’s heavy rains. Gideon Pearsall had to jump in a kayak to get out of his front yard.
Charity Pearsall spent Tuesday evening cooking a pot of chicken and rice for all ten people who live in the home. Four generations live together among piles of furniture stacked up to the ceiling.
“It's very surreal,” Charity said. “I mean, I can't change it. The first day I cried.”
With more rain in this week’s forecast, the family moved their valuables up high and put their furniture on blocks.
Charity said at around 5 a.m. Thursday she heard a loud boom and found the roof in her 15-year-old son’s bedroom had collapsed.
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A tarp is covering the hole at the moment, but the Pearsalls are hoping they can get a long-term solution.
Caltrans officials said the creeks behind the Pearsalls’ home couldn’t support the amount of water that came through. They also said their storm drains, and the county's were working properly.
“It's doesn't have to be [anyone’s] fault, but how about we just recognize there is a problem and we recognize it and let's fix it,” Charity said.
The county is asking property owners who had damage during last week's storms to complete a survey so it can estimate damage costs for the area and determine if it qualifies for state or federal assistance. Click here to take the survey.
