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Wednesday, June 19, 2013 | 9:17 a.m.

Updated: 9:23 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2011 | Posted: 12:47 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2011

El Paso Flooding Victims Still Waiting To Come Home After Two Weeks

By Stephanie Guadian

EL PASO, Texas —

It's been nearly two weeks since a break in the Franklin Canal flooded one neighborhood in south-central El Paso. Many who live along Ramos Court are still staying in temporary housing. The flood water may be gone, but there is still plenty of damage left behind. Sandra Michelleta and her uncle are among the few who turned down temporary housing and chose to stay at home. They have damage to their carpet and other items inside her home.

Starting today, the city of El Paso is transitioning recovery efforts to the El Paso County Water Improvement District Number One. The district will continue cleanup efforts and coordinate with their insurance carrier to expedite the claims process.

Theresa Moreno is staying in temporary housing but spends her days at home trying to clean up the flooding damage. An insurance adjuster recently stopped by her house. Inside the adjuster found cracks in her walls, lifting tile and a giant hole in her floor.

While families wait for their insurance claims to be completed, crews outside their home continue their efforts to clean up the neighborhood. Fourteen families are still living in temporary housing for 30 days. Of those who applied for federal assistance, 80 percent qualified. The city of El Paso will continue to play a role in the recovery effort. Building inspectors will judge is homes are structurally sound for returning residents. "I hope things get better and they do something about it. I hope they fix the houses or something," said Michelleta.

The water improvement district, now in charge of the cleanup, is a state agency that works with El Paso County. The agency believes gophers are to blame for the canal break.

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