Ridgeland flood victims return home
Tenants were evacuated from Harbor Pines
Tenants were evacuated from Harbor Pines
Tenants were evacuated from Harbor Pines
Some tenants in the Harbor Pines neighborhood in Ridgeland have been cleared to return home after evacuations for flooding were lifted.
Temporary access was granted Tuesday for residents to check their mail and collect some belongings, city officials said. Residents said the water level had dropped enough to allow them to inspect the damage.
Michael Burdett said he and his family were among the first to move back in after he checked with police.
"We reached out to the Ridgeland Police Department and they let us know the evacuation was being terminated, so we just kind of went by that," Burdett said.
Amber Boykin's brother lives in the neighborhood. She said there was about 3 feet of water around his home.
"He didn't get any damage inside of his trailer," Boykin said.
Justin Holiday said he's bless that his family only lost groceries because the power was out.
"You never know what you lose until you ain't got your house. You never know, but now we are back here at it," Holiday said.
Holiday said he and his family stayed with relatives during the mandatory evacuation.
"We have six kids and we've been living with my mom. I know she is ready for us to get out of there and we're ready to get back to our home, so our kids get back to comfort," Holiday said.
Some of Holiday's neighbors struggled to find somewhere to stay.
"I had no place to go until a couple of friends stepped up. I have no family around here. I do have friends, but most of them live right here, so we all were in the same boat," Rick McKay said.
Police said some residents won't be allowed to stay because power has not been fully restored.