Family uses boat to cross flooded yard
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After weeks of heavy rain led to flooding here in the Cape Fear, one family is using a boat to get to their house.
Eric Freeman and his family have lived in the Boiling Spring Lakes house for about a year.
Freeman says the property has flooded in the past, but never like this.
He says he reached out to FEMA, but they would not help because the house has electric and running water.
The flooding has caused his septic tank to overflow, creating a foul smell and health concerns for his kids.
“I’ve been putting trash bags on my feet to try to keep some of the poo off my clothes, and I’ve been trucking them through in the boat, and I just drag it across the water. Try to keep them dry for school,” said Freeman.
Freeman says at night, the smell from the septic overflow travels into the house.
“It’s costing me already, destroying my kids clothes going back and forth through the water, buying new uniforms every other day. Just trying to keep the smell off them cause I don’t want them to be the stinky kids in class, you know? It’s horrible out here.”
Freeman and his brother built a makeshift bridge with wooden pallets Wednesday to make it easier to cross the yard. He says he hopes to get more help from his landlord.
We reached out to the city manager, but have not heard back.
