SAN DIEGO — The Banks family is one of the very first flood survivors who are moving back into their home after the January 22 storms.
Judi Banks’ sons were able to step in on day one with the healing and rebuilding process.
CBS 8’s Abbie Black kept in touch with the Banks family as they navigated through this experience and shared their frustration and their joy of being close to moving back into their home.
As Judi Banks waited for her husband to unlock the door, she sang to her delight of getting ready to move into their renovated home.
“Beautiful,” she says.
This is the first time Robert and Judi Banks have seen their drop-in sink and faucet in their new kitchen.
“Wow look at this so cool,” said Judi.
They’ve seen bits and pieces of their new home and each time it has built a layer of comfort.
“Exciting to get back into my home. Nobody understands being a hotel room now how many days Honey?” said Judi.
Robert responds, “I lost track.”
The Banks have been staying in a hotel for more than 112 days.
“I have nowhere to go, and my nerves are shot but it’s coming back together,” said Judi.
As they step into their old den that’s now being converted to their bedroom, they’re reminded why they’re living in a hotel.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been a trucker a motorcycle rider, rode across country and stayed in hotels all along the way but this is ridiculous,” said Robert.
Four months ago, they were stepping into their Mountain View home that was covered in sludge.
Most homes on South 42nd Street were flooded from a storm channel that overflowed during heavy rains.
“My beef is to maintain it because the rains are coming back,” said Judi. “I can’t go through this again.”
CBS 8 spoke to the Banks the day of the storm and the following weeks who said their complaints to the city over concerns to clear the canal were ignored.
“I feel like this is discrimination because Southeast San Diego is so underserved,” said Judi in January.
Four months later and the Banks say they still feel forgotten.
“For them [City of San Diego] to be an emergency there should have been a backup plan to get the money to us and the City still hasn’t helped us,” said Judi.
The couple had flood insurance but says they’ve felt like a ping pong ball going back and forth between insurance, FEMA and the City.
“The process sucked,” said Judi.
The Banks understand they’re farther along them most families in the rebuilding process and dependent on the City inspection they hope to move in next week.
“We are coming out victorious. We won the race we just got to fight the battle,” said Judi.
Through it all, the Banks haven’t lost sight of their new beginning.
“I see me enjoying my space, getting my space back and my friends over,” said Judi.
The Banks say only 65% of the damage has been covered through government assistance or insurance.
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