Cracks in the ceiling and visible water spots is some of what Bonni Davis and her husband came back to at their St. Cloud home.
- St. Cloud says East Lake Toho should start to recede soon
- City is pumping down stormwater ponds
- City says lake levels are high
“It was nothing but wall to wall shingles when we pulled in, it’s devastating,” Bonni Davis said.
Davis and her dog Savannah evacuated to northwest Georgia with the help of her kids. While she didn’t want to leave her home at Covington Estates behind, she knew, living in a mobile home, her options were limited.
“I thought we were going to die if we stayed but I didn’t want to leave my home,” she said.
Davis isn’t the only one with damage. The area near Crabby Bill's on the lakeshore is still flooded. The city of St. Cloud had to red tag about 10 structures and hurricane season is far from over.
“I wouldn't drop my guard but I also wouldn’t panic. It’s a very systematic way," said Bill Johnston, the St. Cloud Emergency Operations manager.
Johnston said that East Lake Toho should start to recede soon. The city is actively pumping down a couple of stormwater ponds to further reduce levels. Nonetheless they’re urging residents to do their part.
“The more the residents can prepare themselves, the quicker our communities get back to normal,” he added.
Davis said she knows she had a guardian angel, perhaps her father watching from above the entire time.
“It was him and God that protected our house as much as it's been protected,” she added. “And now I just wish FEMA could get to us, get to my neighbors that need help.”
The city said stormwater continues to be reduced throughout the city. Pumping is ongoing at Blackberry Creek, Canoe Creek Estates, and Esprit subdivisions to assist in bringing down the levels of water.
Emergency management says they are keeping an eye on the lake levels because they are high and they want to make sure residents are safe.