Posted at: 09/24/2012 5:09 PM
Updated at: 09/24/2012 5:17 PM
By: Gordon Severson

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Homes Finally Torn Down After Flood

(ABC 6 News) -- Two years ago towns along the Zumbro River were hit with the worst flooding in over 500 years.
     
In Zumbro Falls, crews are just starting to tear down flood damaged homes.

To the naked eye, it'd appear the small town of Zumbro Falls is at the same place it was two years ago. Many homes left exactly the same way they were since the water came.

"As they say, looks can be deceiving," Scott Deobald says.

Scott Deobald owner of Scooter's Bar and Grille, says the town is much better than it appears. His business and many others are back up and running since the flood.

"We could be sitting with empty buildings here right now if it wouldn't have been for the community," Deobald says.

It's all about staying positive.

"Life deals you lemons you make lemonade you know," says Bucky Adams.

Bucky Adams owner of Valley Body Works, says staying positive is all you can do to move on.

"Do the best with what you can. Everyone has. Everyone has been positive so far," Adams says.

Despite the destruction, the memory Adams remembers the most is the overwhelming support of the community.

A positive message he gets to relive every time he walks into work.

"The water left a stain on my sign so I put a stripe across there to show the water level and a little sticker out there showing the date it happened," Adams chuckles as he points to his sign 8-feet above the ground.

As homes are torn down, FEMA will have a strict set of guidelines for what the city can do with the land.

The most likely scenario is adding it to the existing city park.

Most of the families have since moved on into brand new homes just up the hill. Showing that even broken lives can be rebuilt.

"Part of us washed down the river, but not every part of us. Our spirit is still here. For me it was never quit. Just keep digging. I think that was the way with everybody else," Deobald says.

The damaged homes and businesses will all be torn down over the next few months. Crews are also working on a trench that will help divert water runoff away from town.