LOWNDES CO., AL (WSFA) -
The Harris family of ten and the Smith family of five have been living in a hotel in Montgomery since September 4th, when flood waters forced them out of their homes in Collerine, but now they face a harsh reality.
"As of Saturday, they will have nowhere to go," Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise Executive Director Katherine Flowers said.
The Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise and the Equal Justice Imitative have stepped in to cover hotel accommodations after red cross money and funding from other organizations have run out. Their rooms are paid for until Saturday, after that, the families will once again be homeless.
"We need a home to restart for our family," Collerine resident Frank Harris said.
The Harris family can't even get inside of their trailer.
"The walls are damaged, installation, the wiring, and the frame is bent so we were advised not to go in because the smallest movement, we were told, would probably turn it over," Harris said.
The Smiths lived in their house for three years.
"[There was] eight to ten inches of water throughout the house. We lost clothes, shoes, furniture, everything," Collerine resident Sears Smith said.
Officials say flooding this bad hasn't happened in the area for at least a decade and many residents like the Harris' and Smiths' were unprepared with no flood insurance.
"It actually hit this house and damaged it so much so, that the family has mold in the roof on the floors and the walls and none of the homes are inhabitable at this point," Red Cross District Emergency Services Officer Grover Henry said.
"We just really need some people to hear our story and do all the can to help us if it's possible," Harris said.
Both families have are commuting daily from Montgomery to Collerine to take their kids to school.
So they are asking for any donations: money, gift cards, clothing, shoes and any basic need items that were washed away in the flood.
If you'd like to help these families, please call the Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise at 334-874-5678.
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