PERRY COUNTY, Ark.-“I really miss it though. It really was a nice place. Just what we wanted. It’s what we built and what we wanted,” Alfred Crabtrey said.
A Perry County family trying to save their home of 30 years after it was impacted by floodwaters.
Alfred Crabtrey says they didn’t have flood insurance and funds from FEMA just isn’t enough.
Crabtrey said this isn’t the first time he and his wife Eleanor have experienced flooding.
On top of trying to save their home, Alfred is also taking care of his wife who has Dementia.
“Take it a day at a time I guess,” Alfred said.
It’s going to take some time for Alfred Crabtrey, 75. His home on Stony Point Road was damaged because of floodwaters from the Arkansas River.
“I built it two feet above flood stage,” Alfred said.
“I mean it just totally took everyone by surprise,” Alfred said.
Outside the home, mounds of mud are everywhere.
“You couldn’t walk on that porch without falling,” Alfred said.
The homes’ foundation shifted.
“It’s leaning on the sidewalk right there,” Alfred said.
Inside the home, dirt and debris cover the walls and floors.
“It’s real tough. The house is so bad because the water tore it up so bad,” Alfred said.
Pictures of his wife, Eleanor, and family are still hanging on the walls.
“She is sick and she is 85. She is my honey,” Alfred said.
Alfred says his wife has dementia, and it’s been hard for him trying to save everything.
“I’m trying to take care of her through this too. It’s more than normal. I can hardly do it all,” Alfred said.
He says he is thankful for his family and praying he and his wife can go back home.
“It’s really nice to have them to help out and know that they are there for you,” Alfred said.
“I don’t know if we will ever stay in there again,” Alfred said.
Alfred and his wife have been staying with family since the flood.
They said FEMA assessed the damages on their home, but since they’re on a fixed income it’s hard to make repairs.
If you would like to help the Crabtrey family, click here.