Rockford area residents cope with loss, cleanup after flooding, storms

Hundreds of Rockford area homes and businesses flooded after the weekend's heavy rains, but for Cynthia Lumzy it was both.

The 14th Street resident and hairstylist awoke to a shock Sunday morning. The basement of her home where she has her hair studio had two and a half feet of standing water. The damage, she said, including loss of products, is thousands of dollars.

Lumzy also takes care of her mother in her home. And like many of her neighbors, more heavy rains Sunday night brought more flooding and more problems.

"We're out here. People don't have air and then 90 degree weather," Lumzy said. "I don't think that's good."

Lumzy started a GoFundMe page to help with the cleanup and to get her studio back in order so she can get back to work as soon as possible.

"I'm reaching out today with a heavy heart and a humble request for support. Recently, our lives were upended by a catastrophic flood in Illinois that has left my family, pets and me in a dire situation," Lumzy posted on GoFundMe. "This studio was not just a workplace but a sanctuary where I poured my passion and energy into creating beauty. Unfortunately, the flood has destroyed everything — thousands of dollars worth of property I had worked so hard to build."

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Lumzy goes on to share how she and her mother also lost personal belongings and clothes from the basement and how her mother is struggling, physically and mentally.

"We are in need of urgent help to rebuild and recover," Lumzy wrote. "Your support will not only assist in replacing the critical tools and supplies needed for my work but also aid in repairing and restoring our living conditions. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in helping us get back on our feet."

The fund has raised more than $5,000 by Tuesday morning.

The Rockford area experienced widespread flooding Saturday and Sunday, causing property damage and property loss across the city.

Just down the street from Lumzy, another resident, Marguerita Nunez, is struggling as well.

The car Nunez uses to drive to work and care for her children, one of which has disabilities, no longer starts.

Nunez said she tried to to drive it to higher ground Sunday night but it was too late and the water that was flooding the road rushed into the car and stalled it.

"They were taking it to a higher level and all of a sudden the water just came from nowhere and went into the car," Nunez said. "I need the car because of my son."

A Rockford man drowned in floodwaters Sunday night about a mile from where Lumzy and Nunez live near Churchill Park.

On Monday, high winds knocked down power lines and trees across the Rockford region, causing another round of property damage for area homeowners and businesses.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford area residents cope with loss, cleanup after flooding, storms