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Many in Pacific didn't have flood insurance

06:09 PM PST on Monday, January 12, 2009

By DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 News

Video: Many flood victims find themselves without flood insurance
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PACIFIC – As families in the town of Pacific struggle to save their flooded homes, the question of who will pay for it all lingers.

Most people in the White River Estates did not have flood insurance, saying they never thought they’d need it.

Chad Weichinger couldn’t believe it when his first floor apartment was submerged under two feet of water.

"This was like a current and a raging river coming right through our back yard. It was moving fast,” said Weichinger.

The house is no longer fit for living, which has displaced not only Weichinger’s family, but the daycare his wife ran out of the home.

He’s been so busy trying to salvage his house, he’s barely had time to think about the next step. But, he says he does remember enquiring about flood insurance several years ago.

"And they said it wasn't necessary because we're not on a flood plain. So, they look at some kind of chart or something and said it’s not necessary. They actually talked us out of it,” said Weichinger.

It’s the same story or Colleen Koppean across the street.

"I feel like crying, but I can’t. I have too much to do,” said Koppean.

She says she never dreamed she’d be a candidate for flood insurance, and insists that since this flood appears to be man made -- the Army Corps of Engineers released water from the Mud Mountain Dam – no one here should have to pay for all the damage and repairs.

"This was not mother nature. That's what's really upsetting is that they let too much go too fast,” said Koppean.

A community meeting about the flooding will be held Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at ALPAC Elementary School. People in Pacific say they hope it answers their two main questions -- who is responsible and who will pay for it?

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