‘Your whole life is in a house and it’s gone’ -- Residents in Midland County return after evacuations Mid-Michigan homes, roads destroyed by massive flooding after dam failures
SANFORD, Mich. – Many people who lived in Sanford returned home to find nothing left after Tuesday’s dam failures and floods .
“Roads were blocked off so this is the first time we could get here," said Pat Perry. "It is astonishing. I can’t believe the devastation.”
READ: ‘Catastrophic’ flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to know
Pat and Jerry Perry could walk back into the village of Sandford Thursday to check to see if their home of 31 years is still standing.
“You don’t expect it to be gone. It’s something you can’t even fathom," Pat Perry said. "Your whole life is in a house and it is gone.”
RELATED: 'Devastating. Just Devastating’ -- Wixom Lake becomes muddy field after dam failures
“You can see where my house was," Jerry Perry said. "My neighbors home floated down the river and to the back of the Dollar General.”
When a dam upriver gave way, a wall of water took much of the village out -- including Pat and Jerry’s home. The scale of the destruction can take your breath away.
“I am glad everyone is safe. Things are just things, but it is a hard pill to swallow," Pat Perry said. “We hope we can find somewhere else to live and somewhere that is affordable for us.”
MORE FLOOD COVERAGE:
Copyright 2020 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Dane Kelly headshot Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.
The most important call you’ll make on game day The most important call you’ll make on game day Detroit tightens tax break process with criminal, civil background checks Detroit tightens tax break process with criminal, civil background checks Gibbs, Goff discuss Detroit Lions’ mindset after 1-1 start Gibbs, Goff discuss Detroit Lions’ mindset after 1-1 start Woman’s car stolen with father’s ashes inside Woman’s car stolen with father’s ashes inside Storage unit mold leaves renters with thousands in lost belongings Storage unit mold leaves renters with thousands in lost belongings Why Chelsea is ready to be more honest with people after cancer battle Why Chelsea is ready to be more honest with people after cancer battle Learning more about the man who killed a woman in downtown Detroit Learning more about the man who killed a woman in downtown Detroit How has Mojo and Chelsea's marriage changed over the years? How has Mojo and Chelsea's marriage changed over the years? Dan Campbell on Aaron Glenn Dan Campbell on Aaron Glenn Dan Campbell on Jets Being Trap Game Dan Campbell on Jets Being Trap Game Spirit of Detroit turns 68 Spirit of Detroit turns 68 DIY roundabout on Detroit's west side DIY roundabout on Detroit's west side City to cut down on gun violence after 3 shootings in 10 days City to cut down on gun violence after 3 shootings in 10 days What's new at Little Caesars Arena What's new at Little Caesars Arena Go 4 It and help us save the gorillas! Go 4 It and help us save the gorillas! Mayor Sheffield reacts to investigation Mayor Sheffield reacts to investigation Residents raise concerns over mold, water damage and electrical issues Residents raise concerns over mold, water damage and electrical issues Sister of woman killed in random attack in Detroit speaks out Sister of woman killed in random attack in Detroit speaks out How to register to vote in Michigan How to register to vote in Michigan Detroit wants retail. Small retailers say they need more foot traffic. Detroit wants retail. Small retailers say they need more foot traffic. Previous video Next video
