The waters along Lake Erie have calmed significantly, revealing much damage that homeowners on Hoover Beach are working to clean up after last Thursday's storm.

"It's quite the mess right now," said homeowner Randy Fisher.

Fisher is one of many residents who evacuated the beach voluntarily and is still assessing the damage to his property.

"I used to have all grass up in here which is all skin now — sand and rocks," added Fisher. 

Despite many of the homes on the beach having retaining walls, the waters pushed through, sending debris, driftwood, and even a hot tub across South Shore Road. 

Fisher estimates around $30,000 in damage to his home.

"The water went up like seven feet in six hours," said Sam Insalaco. "There is so much debris, it's almost to a point of, ‘Where do I even begin?’" 

Insalaco is concerned there’s a small window for a full cleanup and repairs.

"It's a matter now of: Winter is coming. How do we get cleaned up before winter? All of this stuff will be buried under snow before we know it," he said.

Insalaco and other residents are hoping for government assistance in replacing a deteriorating break wall.  But according to Town of Hamburg Emergency Services Manager Sean Crotty, that’s unlikely.

"Each homeowner is responsible for their break wall," said Crotty.

The governor declared a state of emergency for the regions that were impacted by the storm, including Erie County.

"The common misconception is that federal money will go towards the homeowners, which unfortunately with instances like this, it doesn't," said Crotty. "It goes towards critical infrastructure with community; if roads were damaged, if public facilities and state-owned facilities were damaged, that's where the money will go to assist."

Currently, the Hamburg Highway Department is helping with debris removal.

The Emergency Services Department says they are embracing water levels as the new normal and are working with local elected officials to provide assistance for residents.