SMU community members share flood stories

This is the first of a series of stories of SMU faculty and staff who have suffered serious damage because of recent flooding. We hope that these stories bring to light how many people, in how many areas, were deeply affected. Please continue to keep everyone who is fighting to put their lives back together in your prayers.

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All of the contents of Henthorne’s basement and most of her first floor were destroyed in the August flood.





Contents of Henthorne’s shed were pulled out from a foot of mud.






Cleanup efforts have been slow for residents in Stockton.








Coral Henthorne
Assistant for Advancement Services
Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Coral Henthorne was headed to sleep when her boyfriend Sean went out on their porch to watch the heavy rains late in the evening of Aug. 18. Through the darkness, he could see that a ravine near their home was already quickly rising and cars were stalling with water. But the couple didn’t know just how serious it was about to become in Stockton.
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Soon Sean woke Coral to tell her to get dressed; their home was flooding. Things happened quickly. By shortly after 11 p.m., their front steps had washed away, and power was periodically going on and off. Coral heard over the radio that Stockton was evacuating, and from their window, they watched a Winona County Sheriff’s car get stuck in the high water, and its driver evacuate from her car window.

Coral dialed 911. A frazzled operator told her that they desperately needed to get out, that a home on their street (only two houses away) had washed off of its foundation and floated away, but the operator offered no answers of how they should get out or where they should go.

When a small Dive & Rescue raft came to their door, Coral and Sean asked them to evacuate Sean’s parents next door first before coming back for them.

There wasn’t time to set out food for their dog (Bear), grab pictures or even extra clothing. There wasn’t time to do anything but concentrate on getting to safety.

“We put our dog upstairs, and we hoped for the best,” Coral said.

As Coral and Sean got into the small raft, it sprung a leak. With closer ambulances likely full, the couple was dropped off along Highway 14 and told to walk up the hill until another ambulance could pick them up. By this point, rushing water was up to Coral’s waist, and the two struggled to remain standing.

“The current was so strong, I couldn’t hold onto (Sean’s) hand anymore,” Coral said.

Eventually, the two were evacuated via ambulance to higher ground and arrived at the Saint Mary’s University Red Cross evacuation shelter at 3:30 a.m.

By late Sunday afternoon, Aug. 19, Coral and Sean – like many of their neighbors – went back into town to see what was left.

“The first thing we saw was our dog’s paws up on the top window, and we heard a loud bark, so we knew he was OK,” Coral said. “That was one of the most enjoyable things.”

Their pole shed was filled with a foot of heavy mud. The contents of their garage and basement were destroyed, along with two cars and a motorcycle. Their basement was filled with water, and standing water on their main floor destroyed most of their furnishings: a couch, bed, dressers, washer and dryer, furnace, water heater — along with all of their clothes and Christmas decorations.

Because they don’t live on what is considered a flood plain, the couple does not have flood insurance.

Though their foundation was declared “sound,” their home structure has twisted to the point that doors do not shut, and cupboards do not shut or rotate. Their porches have separated from the home, and a portion of the ceiling has fallen down.

At this point, Coral said it’s a waiting game. The two have been living with Coral’s mother and have been offered a FEMA trailer. They wait to see if their home will be condemned or if they should rebuild or try to fix their existing home.

Coral thanks the many family members and SMU coworkers who helped her clean out mud and belongings from the flood. “I don’t know what I would have done without them,” she said.