Forward Township family flooded out for 2nd time in 2018
FORWARD TWP — Less than two months into 2018, it's already been a long year for the Wright family.
The clan of five in January was flooded out of their house on Valencia Road in Forward Township. They only recently were done cleaning up and drying out.
Today, it's déjà vu all over again.
Steady and at times heavy rains have again done the Wrights wrong.
“It's been a very stressful year,” said Charlotte Wright. “It's so frustrating.”
Their personal flood watch began Thursday evening as showers and downpours played hopscotch. The rainfall was too much to hold Glade Run, a creek that cuts through their yard.
“It was coming up into the driveway about 12:15 a.m. (Friday),” Wright said of the water. “By 1:30 a.m., it was getting into the house.”
The garage and mudroom started taking on water.
Charlotte and husband Tony and the couple's 25-year-old daughter, Samantha Riccitelli, knew it was time.
They awakened Samantha's children, 2 and 4 years old, and readied them for the sudden move to higher ground.
“I got Sammi and the kids and left for the motel,” Charlotte said. Tony stayed behind, not ready to abandon ship.
It was like watching the same bad movie, again.
Almost the exact same scenario played out Jan. 12 for the Wrights. One difference was that last month's flood was caused as much if not more by melting snow, as well as rain.
Another difference was they needed help — courtesy of Butler County's Water Rescue Team 300 — to get out of the house surrounded by feet of water.
By 9:20 a.m. Friday, the rain stopped and the water had receded from the house.
Charlotte was back home. But she was in no mood to hear any “home sweet home” talk.
“It took me two weeks to clean up the last time,” she said. “This time, it's probably going to take another two weeks.”
She and Tony have had it. They've spent a good chunk of their lives at the home — battling flooding woes in past years, not just 2018 — and they're ready to move.
“Your home should be your safety zone,” Charlotte said. “But not to exaggerate, I don't feel safe here anymore.”
