Lyman homeowners just learned that FEMA funding will not be available for the city to buy their properties, because it requires President Donald Trump to declare a disaster. It has at least one couple pleading for help.
The Skagit River was quieter Wednesday. Trees have stopped crashing down into the water, but many of them are gone. Eagles have had to find new homes just like their human neighbors.
"I feel terrible. Terrible. Have no home," Vicky Guidinger said.
KING 5 interviewed Guidinger and her husband Richard three years ago, the last time a major flood threatened their home. They pointed to a rock levee the government had stopped maintaining in an effort to let the river flow freely and restore salmon habitat.
Now they feel like fish have been valued over their homes. Calls to action from federal and state officials last week resulted in no action taken to stabilize the bank as the river cut into more than a hundred feet of land overnight.
Three families have had to evacuate from their homes as the structures cling dangerously to the edge. The properties are worth less than many owe on their mortgages and many believe it would be impossible to sell anyway.
Rep. Suzan DelBene visited on Monday. Her office is helping affected residents with caseworkers to advocate for banks to forgive their mortgage debt.
"The river owns it basically now," Vicky said. "What do we do next? We're at the mercy of everybody."
There was hope that FEMA funding might allow the town of Lyman to purchase the properties. That way, homeowners would at least have money to start over. They just learned, however, that it requires a presidential disaster declaration and that hasn't happened.
Despite calls from the state and federal officials, they don't feel like anyone's actually done anything to save their homes or prevent another major flood event.
"OK, flood's over, you're on your own. Sorry everybody. That's basically where we're at. I'm homeless. I've got two pairs of clothes," Richard said.
Richard now sleeps on the floor at a relative's house while Vicky sleeps on the couch, but they're still hoping for a Christmas miracle.
"Help us. President Trump, help us," Vicky said.
Want to help? Several fundraising pages have been set up to support flood victims:
Guidinger family GoFundMe
Taxdahl family GoFundMe
Harris family GoFundMe
