Family starts to clean up after water floods their Loudon County home

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - A street in Duff Turner Estates in Loudon County flooded, and left two stories of a three story home flooded.

"It's just kind of shock," said homeowner Suzanne Vicars.

This is what's left of Suzanne Vicars three story home.

"You just don't prepare for something like that," said Vicars.

Flood waters started to rise in the Duff Turner Estates neighborhood Saturday morning. The Vicars family didn't realize how severe it could get.

"I guess around 3 p.m. after it came over the neighbor's drive way, we realized it was going to be a total loss," said Vicars.

Suzanne, her husband, and two kids jumped in the car and got out.

"He moved some of the stuff up to the third level to salvage that and it looks like maybe he succeeded," said Vicars.

They brought only a few things with them.

"A few sentimental things, but it's really hard to think in the moment," said Vicars.

By Monday, the flood water receded, and the Vicars are getting a look at the damage. The floors are covered in mud and the paint is peeling off the walls.

“It just lifted everything up. Yeah, I mean that’s being held up by a night stand it looks like and an elliptical," Vicars said. "What 24 hours can do to a place is amazing."

Vicars said the water filled the basement and rose all the way up to the main level, leaving over 17 feet of water in their home.

“It was to the gutters so right to the top of the main level," Vicars said.

Neighbors said they've never seen anything like this.

"To see other people in the area with problems right down the street, it's hard to see that," said Chase Stanifer, who is a neighbor.

The Vicars stayed with a neighbor just up the hill where it's safe.

"We're trying to figure it out where to go from here," said Vicars. "My husband built our house. It's a little bit of sentimental value other than the fact that's its the home we live in."

The Vicars are in good spirits even though their home is ruined. They said TEMA is coming out to assess the damage and property.

Now, they are starting the process of cleaning up and seeing what is salvageable.