Disaster assistance office open for flooding victims

Operated by the Red Cross and Orange County, the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Officials said it will remain open as long as necessary.

Monica Enriquez, who came to the center Saturday, said she and her family are grateful for what the Red Cross has done in the last six days.

“They’ve been really helping us a lot,” she said. After spending the last several days living in a shelter, Enriquez and her four family members were placed into a hotel Saturday by the Red Cross.

“We are trying to find an apartment to live,” she said.

Orange County officials declared a state of emergency Tuesday after making rounds in the neighborhoods inundated by rain. A total of 4.66 inches of rain fell in the area from Sunday to Monday.

Ricky Bunch, who was also displaced when inches of rain flooded dozens of apartments Sunday afternoon, came to the disaster center Saturday morning looking for advice.

“When I left my apartment, the water was at least knee high,” he said. “I want to make sure that it is safe to move back in.”

Officials have said 68 units in the Camelot Village complex, on South Estes Drive, and another 22 units in the Booker Creek Townhouse Apartments complex, on Booker Creek Drive, were condemned because of damage. Another 51 units in the Brookwood Condominiums complex, also on Estes Drive, were also damaged by floodwater.

Residents seeking assistance from the Red Cross may call 919-903-0676, 919-903-0677, 919-903-0678 and 919-903-0679. The center is located across from the main stage near the Dillard’s entrance.