Originally Posted by Young Performance

You are absolutely correct. I'm actually from Chalmette as well. Was born and raised there. I lived there during Katrina. We actually sold our home to the government in a plan called "The Road Home". Like most, I was terribly under insured. My house was 5.5' above the 100 year flood mark. THe worst flood that they expected in 100 years, my house was 5 1/2' above that. We thought that we would never see more than a few inches in the house. We only had 80K in flood insurance on a 265K house. Katrina put over 15 feet of water in my house. It was to my chest on the second floor. Needless to say, there was no way that i could replace everything I own and rebuild a totaled house with 80K.

"The Road Home" was configured like this....they take 80% of the house's prestorm value. From that they deducted what you received from insurance and FEMA (which was nothing for me) and pay you that amount. The Gov. then owns the house and tears it down. It took months and months to get it resolved, but I really had no choice. I had no plans of rebuilding and returning. We decided to and had the oppotunity to move to Nashville. It was a great thing for us. We still didn't come out ok, but it was better than any other way to go. For people that are upside down in their house, this plan won't get you out. THe best you will end up with is 80%. Then, you still have to replace EVERYTHING you own.

I not only had the house to deal with, but a shop as well. THe shop had no flood insurance, so we were screwed there. Most of the houses on my street were torn down. That area isn't the same, and probably never will be. It's a shame really. The other problem is the blighted houses. You may rebuild your house but the neighbors don't and let the grass grow to 4' high. It then attracts mice, which attracts snakes.That was a huge problem where I lived. The other issue is safety. If not many other houses are fixed and lived in, you could be the only house on that block that's being lived in. Everything else is pitch dark at night. You are the only one around. In New Orleans, that was like a welcome sign for criminals. You had no one else around to help. You house stood out like a beacon all lit up at night while the rest of the street was dark.

I wish everyone the best. I can certainly relate to what you are going through. Hang in there. I will get better, but it will never be the same.
Eddie

Originally Posted by catastrophe

Don't want to sound like an Ahole.
And believe me my heart goes out to all that are suffering.

If I can participate in helping any of our members , count me in.

BUT

If you are an entrepreneur there are dozens of businesses staring you in the face that I will last a long time.

Originally Posted by catastrophe

.........and the proper equipment ........