Congressman Johnson visits damaged district (Gwinnett Daily Post 10/2/2009)

10/06/2009

By Camie Young

Staff Writer

LILBURN - Congressman Hank Johnson was in Washington when severe floods devastated his district two weeks ago.

He saw images on the news, but didn't get the full picture until he talked to Becky Rush on Friday, as she pointed to the trees and roof that police officers clung to as they tried to rescue her from the water.

"Her experience the night of the flood and the experience of the first responders, it must have been a very harrowing experience," said Johnson, who represents the area and toured flood-damaged properties in Lilburn and a recovery center. "The people have already commenced a recovery, doing what they can to help themselves. ... Everybody responded that night in an effective way. Now it's the federal government's job to step up."

Rush said she awoke early Sept. 21 with little concern when her yard began to flood. That had happened before, and her house on Camp Creek Road had been raised four feet to avoid the damage.

But when the water began seeping into the floor from below, she started to unplug her electric devices. By the time she was done, the water was to her knees. That's when she called 911.

Lilburn police officers were the first to arrive, but the current immediately swept one to the roof. Two made it to the carport, and when the water began to wash it away, they got on the roof.

Rush watched both of her dogs paddle away, as she clung to a post on her front porch with water up to her chest until Gwinnett Fire Department's swift water rescue team arrived.

"It was like white-water rapids," she said.

In the two weeks since the flood, Rush has stayed with her daughter while a contractor tore out the walls and carpeting of her house. They continued to work Friday. One dog was found alive, but there has been no sign of the other.

"Day by day, things get a little better," she told the congressman.

For Jennifer Lofton, the floods did little damage to her home, but it swamped her towing business on Arcado Road.

Johnson toured the gutted building and talked to Lofton about how the government could help.

She had already been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help with her home, but she planned to visit the county disaster recovery center in the Mountain Park Depot on Five Forks Trickum Road to see about a loan from the Small Business Administration for her business.

"I'm not a quitter," she said.

Lofton said she had an unemployed man help gut the building, but Johnson told her to be sure to go through the required process to qualify for government aid. The requirements include getting three quotes from qualified contractors.

"Hopefully everything will go well for you when you go to the one-stop shop. Keep the faith," he told Lofton.

Both Lofton and Rush said they were glad to see a congressman take the time to visit the storm damage.

"It feels like someone actually cares that we get back on our feet," Lofton said.