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Cleanup continues one week after Hurricane Matthew

Posted at 5:46 PM, Oct 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-15 22:24:02-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Instead of a relaxing Saturday, homeowners in the Bow Creek section of Virginia Beach spent their day cleaning.

“We have to rip everything out," MarieElena Gensel, who lives in the Dunbarton section of Virginia Beach, said. "New cabinets. My dishwashers down. Everything has to go. Everything.”

Damaged home goods and storage pods lines the streets as people say their belongings are now curbside.

“It’s really hard to get up every day. When I go to bed at night, when I sleep I feel like it’s gonna be a dream," Gensel said.

Gensel tell News 3 she is a long way from recovery and it wasn't just water that seeped into her home.

“It’s sewage that went through my house. So even if something is slightly salvageable, I have to throw it out," she described.

Many say this was the worse flooding they've seen in their area.

Wednesday, the city opened a recovery center at the Bow Creek Recreation Center.

They're offering services for food, temporary housing, crisis counseling, etc.

Officials say since opening they've seen close to 400 people in need.

Ann Caurthens was there.

“We got food for about a week and cleaning supplies. That is great to help with the smell," Caurthens said.

The center will reopen Sunday from 11a.m to 3p.m. It will also open Monday from 10a.m. until 4p.m.

For people living in Chesapeake, you can report damage to the city at 382-CITY.