On Sunday, May 19, we came back to Endicott, NY for a mission trip with the Hempfield Methodist church ( our home church in Lancaster). We were here with them in the fall on the way to NOMADS annual meeting in Hamburg.
We stayed in Endicott but worked in Owego about 20 miles away. In 2011 over 400 homes were flooded out here when Hurricane Irene and Tropical storm Lee stalled over this area.
This is the home we worked on. Jerry (in the black t-shirt) was our coordinator from FEMA. George, was the son of the woman who owns the home, and has been trying to do most of the work in the house up to now and is very grateful for the help.
The flood waters were to the top of the one way sign.
A house a few doors away had this marking of the height of the flood waters on their garage.
We were to take out all of the old post systems. This home had been built in 1848, so now was a good time to sort of remodel.
Everyone got busy taking out the posts.
Of course all new wiring had to be put in, so Jeff and Jim worked on getting the studs ready for the wire.
We were glad that Larry's son Mark came with us on this trip. He has a lot of skills and strength we needed.
The receptacles are on, so Larry is working on the wiring.
Mike, Bob and Mark worked in the cellar putting jacks in to give the floor musch needed support. Notice the tree they had used for a support post when the house was built.
A nice surprise was we had a hot lunch everyday at the community center.
A nice salad bar.
Bob getting his meal. He was a little soaked from the storm we had right before lunch putting up his car windows.
What a delicious meal, my favorite.
With the old posts out we had to build a header and frame out the new walls.
Mike getting the old post ready for the header.
Mark putting in a temporary beam to hold up the upstairs flooring.
The new header being installed.
In this part of the house the floor really sagged and had to be leveled.
The old flooring cut out,
Boards installed to level the flooring.
New plywood installed. Much better.
Marked framed out the new wall.
A lot of old boards to be thrown away. Jodi cleared off the porch.
Oops, we needed some of the boards to fix the holes in the flooring, so Stell did a little dumpster diving.
Filling in the holes and getting the flooring "level" was a little challenging, but Stell did a great job.
Getting the dirt and sawdust cleaned up was a job in itself. The first day we used a shovel and broom, the shop vac was a big help.
The second header and wall is installed on the other side of the house.
Mark and Larry framed out the bathroom walls.
On Thursday they removed the old supports and framed in under the stairs to make a closet.
Jack and I worked on getting the insulation installed.
We insulated one side of the house and most of the other, before we ran out of insulation.
Larry finished wiring all the boxes on the newly built walls before it was time to leave.
George and Billy worked hard all day cleaning out the upstairs. They showed us pictures of what the house looked like in the flood and the piles of trash they had from cleaning out the house in the days that followed. They have had a huge job and there is still a long way to go. They were very appreciative of what we were able to accomplish for them this week. I hope that other groups will be able to give them a hand in the near future, so they can get their mother back in her home soon.
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