The long days of cleaning up have begun in Seneca County.

“We have every state agency available to here to help and assist," said Kathy Calhoon, director of state operations. "This community has been hit hard, they were hit fast, it was unexpected.”

Residents have begun returning home to do some cleaning up of their own.

George Gilbert says his wife was getting ready for work when the storm hit and water began pouring into their home.

“I didn’t know how bad it was until I went upstairs and looked out the window, and found out Niagara Falls was coming across the street at us," Gilbert said. “I didn’t know if the whole structure was going to go into the lake.”

They were able to return with family Wednesday afternoon to begin assessing the damage.

“It’s extensive. Two inches of mud on the whole first floor on both sides," Gilbert said. "I’m gonna have to rip up the sheetrock, the baseboard and everything that comes with that.”

A huge hit, having just spent thousands on an addition to the home.

“We just were building the place and got the point where we were enjoying it and this happens.” Gilbert said.

Still, he’s thankful it wasn’t worse.

 “A majority of the stuff we had upstairs," Gilbert said. "The things you care about, pictures, that kind of thing was all saved.”

And while he’s promised to rebuild, so has the state — for as long as it takes.

“We have not left, and we will not leave until the community is back where it needs to be,” Calhoun said.