Liberty County – Surrounded by water and stranded for days. That was the situation the Arnold family said they were in after Saturday night’s storm in Liberty County turned their Plum Grove home into an island.
“This is my little slice of heaven, and now it’s become hell,” said homeowner Jack Arnold.
The family said although there were only a few inches of rain and their house is 20 feet up, ultimately, there were nearly six feet of water down below, which made leaving impossible.
The family also explained that the rushing water took out their well.
“The water was rushing so fast you couldn’t get in. And you don’t have any water, and you can’t take a shower. Luckily, we have bottled water that we’ve been living on,” said Jack.
The family said it wasn’t until Wednesday that the water went down enough for them to paddle out.
“As the water comes up, your nerves get worse and you wonder what you’re going to lose his time,” said Jack’s wife Pamela.
The family said in the last few years since Harvey, they’ve flooded about half a dozen times.
“I don’t get it. The water is coming from somewhere. It wasn’t there before,” Jack said.
They believe the issue has to do not only with the East Fork San Jacinto river close by, but also a sand mine and the construction of a nearby subdivision.
“Between that and the extra water from the subdivision, it’s just killing us. We’re drowning, literally,” Pamela said.
As for the family’s plans now, they’re still unsure as the clean-up efforts begin, again.
They’re planning to see if the city or county may be able to assist them in addressing the issue.
“I can’t sell this place like this. I would not want to sell this place and have someone else go through it,” Jack said.