SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Many south San Diego residents are still rebuilding their homes after historic floods swept through communities in January of this year. As the Thanksgiving weekend approaches, Southcrest homeowner Eddie Menjivar says the holidays don’t feel the same. Volunteers help rebuild the home of a flood victim in Shelltown “Christmas spirit, it’s gone for us,” said Menjivar. “Around this time of year, I always try to decorate my house with Christmas lights. I can’t do it right now, it’s not a good time.” Menjivar is one of many residents impacted that are still rebuilding. Since hotel vouchers expired in June, Menjivar has turned his garage into a studio apartment where he, his wife and son live for now. Six months after historic flooding, Southcrest still awaits substantial help “I lost all my cars. I had six cars. I lost all my tools,” he said. Menjivar’s front door has a dusty Christmas ornament still hanging from last year as he waits for the finishing touches for his main home to be repaired. Windows and doors still need to be replaced, and he says money from insurance has taken a long time. If the doors and windows are replaced before Christmas, then it’s quite possible he could get his Christmas wish to be home in time. The City of San Diego’s Storm Water Department has removed more than 9,000 tons of debris and vegetation from 18 miles of channels city wide; 12 of those miles cleared were from the Chollas Creek Watershed.