Man awaits word from FEMA after flood leaves house on verge of collapse
Aug 26, 2026
ANDERSON, Ind. (WRTV) Wooden beams were the only thing on Wednesday keeping Courtney Fletchers home upright after floodwaters destroyed its brick foundation earlier this month.Fletcher said water rushed into his yard like the o
cean on Aug. 14. He and his family evacuated their home as the water rose.When they returned the next day, Fletcher found water reaching the top step of the basement stairs. The floodwaters had toppled the brick foundation on the front of the house, leaving the basement exposed to the elements.Utility crews cut off the gas shortly after the flood, leaving the family without hot water. Fletcher said the basement fuse box sat submerged for three days. He now fears the entire structure could collapse if the temporary supports fail.It's dangerous just walking in there every day, Fletcher said. We're taking a risk every day. It could all be gone in the blink of an eye if the foundation goes out.Konner Graddy, an Anderson native and owner of Knock on Nails Construction, saw a Facebook post about the damage and arrived to help. His team immediately installed wooden supports to stabilize the house.Graddy estimated that 250 to 260 bricks are missing from the foundation. He said the wooden beams are likely the only reason the house is still standing.These will hold for now, but it's God's will how long they'll actually last, Graddy said. It's supporting the entire front of this home.Fletcher said he has repeatedly called and messaged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to report the damage but has not received a response.Despite the damage, Fletcher said he is keeping the faith after what he described as a miracle. Although the fuse box was underwater for days, the home never lost its electrical safety or caught fire. Fletcher said the first thing he found after pumping the water out was a Bible.God had protected us the whole time, Fletcher said.The family expects to hear from FEMA regarding their situation in the coming days.
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