CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than a week after Mountain Island Lake crested at near-historic levels, homeowners along the water are still struggling to clean up their properties.
Some of the hardest-hit communities are located along the Catawba River, just downstream of the Mountain Island Dam.
Calvary Baptist Church's Pastor Jack Homesley has been down trying to marshal volunteers for families who either can't afford or aren't physically able to gut their homes.
"People really just overwhelmed, crying because they just don't know what to do," Homesley said. "If you care, this is in your backyard. This is a place you can serve and help people."
A group of CMPD active-duty and retired officers helped Billie Hartis-Miller and her husband gut their home.
"There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not the river flooding," Hartis-Miller said.
Retired CMPD Sergeant Mark Faulkenberry said they already cleaned out two other homes before arriving to help Hartis-Miller.
"In something like this, the more hands we can get, the better, for sure," Faulkenberry said.
Hartis-Miller hopes more people will come to help her neighbors.
"Just young people come in and help and do something to help your fellow man," Hartis-Miller said. "Just like the Charlotte Police officers are doing."
Volunteers can sign up anytime between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church 10301 Harwood Lane in Charlotte.
Homeowners in need of resources can call 704-840-0513, which connects to the Calvary Baptist Church's disaster response.
