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Cleanup underway in Washington Co. after heavy flooding

People in Washington County were dealing with 8-to-9 feet of water in their homes from a creek that normally never floods.

All items that were destroyed in the flood are ready to go out with the garbage.

In an area of East Washington, there were dumpsters out this weekend, filled to the brim.

“I burst into tears, it was awful,” said flood victim Shellie Popeck. “All our furniture, appliances: washer, dryer, furnace, hot water tank.”

Floodwaters came rushing through Popeck's basement door Friday night, destroying everything.

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Channel 11 talked to neighbors all around East Washington who spent the weekend cleaning up. None of them have flood insurance.

“We had groundwater, that's about it, never this devastation,” Popeck said.

Water nearly reached the top of Daniel Bird’s backyard pavilion.

“Devastating, it just came so fast, there was nothing you could do, couldn't save anything,” Bird said. “I guess (you should) have flood insurance, even if you're not in a flood zone.”

Washington County leaders say they know there is extensive flooding damage, but after going door-to-door all weekend and all day Monday, they don't believe there is enough damage to meet the federal guidelines for public assistance.

Channel 11 then reached out to PEMA, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, who said they are actively working on it.

Teams of PEMA staffers are in Washington and Fayette counties doing preliminary damage assessments.

The U.S. Small Business Administration can issue a disaster declaration to provide low-interest loans to those impacted by the flood.

FLOODING VIDEO: Washington County was hit hard by flood water this weekend. Many areas are not in flood zones and they don't have flood insurance--- like the home in this video. That rushing water is in their YARD and going straight into their home. Spent the day trying to get answers on what these flood victims can do. There is lots of red tape. My interviews with devastated victims coming up next at 6 on WPXI-TV Pittsburgh.

Posted by WPXI Cara Sapida on Monday, July 31, 2017

If there were to be an SBA declaration, the SBA would bring in their staff to assist people in applying.

Victims Channel 11 spoke to were devastated, but took time to be thankful no one was hurt.

Washington County officials have about 120 flood victims, which they don't believe will qualify for federal assistance.  If the government does declare this a disaster and victims can apply for those low interest loans, they said those victims will be able to do it right online.