Residents 'shattered' by Harvey's impact in Simonton

SIMONTON, Texas (KTRK) -- In Simonton, the recovery process is expected to be long.

Crews are still gutting homes, trying to clean up after Harvey. This is only the second full day of clean up, which was delayed because of mandatory evacuations.

The streets of Valley Lodge, like so many neighborhoods, are now lined with debris.

"It just shattered my heart, and it's...my heart has completely been broken," flood victim Fred Reyes said. "But my faith will never be broken."

Reyes just made a pile of the custom cabinets he only recently put in.

1 of 9

They were a couple of weeks from finally returning to their home after the flood which ruined it last year. Now this.

But, it's the offer of help from strangers, like this group from Thrive Church, that is getting him through.

"They got their kids out here," Reyes said, adding, "and that's what keeps you going, you know?"

There's about 250 homes in Valley Lodge, the area hardest hit in Simonton, just west of Houston.

All but a handful were inundated with water and mud from the Brazos River and a nearby creek.

Homeowners say it was higher than the May 2016 flood.

"For the last two years, this has happened," flood victim Lori Smith said.

Lori and Ryan Smith said their 6 and 3-year-old don't understand what has happened here.

This image is striking, their daughter's teddy bear in the pile of debris outside their home.

"You know, it breaks your heart," Ryan said.

They didn't get flood insurance after the disaster last year. They couldn't afford it. Now they wonder how they can rebuild again.

We did visit a donation center here in Simonton, which has been a huge help from the community.

There is a donation center set up in Simonton at the Red Potato Market. They are located at 9114 FM 1489. They are open from 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Currently they are in need of:

• Buckets
• Facemasks
• Plastic containers, bins
• Boxes
• Ant poison
• Wasp spray
• Tape
• Toilet paper
• Rubber boots
• Mops
• Squeegees
• Brooms
• Cleaning supplies
• Box cutters
• Underwear, new (all sizes)
• Laundry soap
• Paper towels
• Shop vacs and fans

Simonton flood victims are encouraged to go to the above location to pick up whatever they may need to help them recover from this disaster.

Report a typo to the ABC13 staff