Valdosta Flooding Update

People in Valdosta are waiting for the water to recede so they can begin the clean up after a devastating flood.
Longtime residents say they've never seen the Withalacoochee this high. The river rose after more than a foot of rain fell in South Georgia last week.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in several counties, but further state and federal assistance cannot come until damage assessments are completed. Paige Dukes is with Lowndes County. She says the water is receding in some places, but not everywhere.

"We have hundreds of homes that have water in them. Some of the water is up to the eaves of the houses. Georgia Emergency management is here and we're starting the damage assessment process."

Dukes says the county will not be eligible for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency until those assessments are completed. She says a significant number of the victims do not have flood insurance.