Dothan woman hopes to start over with federal aid

Chasity Warren, her two young children and their cat were the third generation to live in her family home on Plant Street, just off East Main Street in Dothan.

Nearly two weeks after rain water completely filled her single-story home, only leaving the roof visible, she’s left wondering where she and her family will live.

She recently saw a frog leaping across her living room as she reviewed the damage. She has not made it past the kitchen of her home, where she managed to save a few glass bowls and several pots and pans. Warren has stayed with family and friends after the flood heavily damaged her home.

“I don’t know what might be in there,” she said. “I’m scared to open the cabinets.”

Warren thought she’d lost her cat, Midnight, but a friend rescued it from the roof the day after the flood on Sunday, March 29.

She said the Red Cross recently gave her a type of gift card to help her buy some food and clothing. But she’s hoping to get some help from the federal government with her home. She did not have insurance. She would like to salvage the house, or at least rebuild on the family property. Warren said she has registered her home and its damages with the Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Agency office.

“They can’t get her any help now, but once the federal folks designate her a disaster area ...,” said Stephen McGowan, a Dothan attorney who has been helping Warren.

Clark Matthews, the Houston County EMA director, said there were more than 300 reported individual homes that had water damage from the flooding. Matthews said officials with FEMA will be in the Wiregrass on Monday to assess the individual storm damages.

“With individual assistance all we can do is get the data together and hope for the best,” Matthews said.

Matthews said anyone who would still like to report damages can call the EMA office at 615-help. David Duke, who serves as the director of Wiregrass United Way’s 211 program, said people could dial 211 or 1-877-900-GET-INFO for help with storm recovery.

Lt. Jonathan Howell of the Salvation Army said people in need could call 792-1911and ask for Linda Bates.

“We’re here to offer food, clothing and cleanup kits,” Howell said. “We can be that listening ear. We’re not professional counselors, but some people just need to know there’s somebody that cares.”