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Danger of Continued Flooding Lingers in Texas

Aired July 08, 2002 - 14:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Texas today, Governor Rick Perry got a firsthand look at the devastation in flood-ravaged San Antonio. The flood waters are beginning to recede, but the danger remains for many people living near swollen river banks. CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from New Braunfels.

And, Ed, I know you've been spending the whole day with the Maxwells, but it's not just that family having a hard time in this community, is it?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, by no means. We're just -- this is just one of the streets that is along the Guadalupe River over here. You can see on the other side, there is also another full neighborhood of homes that is dealing with a lot of flooding issues. So, this is just one of the neighborhoods. You can see here along the side of the house, if you look at these huge piles of mud, that wasn't there. All of this has been scooped outside from the windows.

And just couple of houses down is another house that has been completely pounded by flood waters over the course of the last couple of days. The -- a lot of these homes, the current was moving so fast here that a lot of these homes were pounded by a lot of debris moving downstream. Whether it be refrigerators, trees, sheds all sorts of things you saw flying down the river over the weekend. So, a lot of people who are dealing with a lot of damage.

We have also seen damage assessments teams kind of start moving into the area, making their way around the neighborhood, talking to some families about what they need to do to make sure they are on the proper list and all of the filing that needs to take place so they can qualify for federal relief money that is coming to this area as well.

Now this river flooded in 1998, so a lot of these people are used to this. A lot of them have insurance, but they also have -- are waiting for what the FEMA agencies are going to do in terms of bringing relief to this area. But a lot of the people we've spoken with say they look forward to rebuilding and they hope to keep living here for quite some time -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Ed Lavandera, A lot of story -- a lot of strength within that story. Ed, thank you.

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