It's been almost a year since the Halloween storm tore through the Village of Whitesboro. In that time, some homes still show the damage and some neighbors are still displaced.

Despite the devastation, neighbors were able to come together, forming a group called the "Whitesboro Water Warriors," showing how everyday people can rise up and make a difference.

Ron Loubier’s Whitesboro home has been through a few floods, none as bad as the one in 2019.

“Everyone still talks about the shed," said Whitesboro Water Warrior co-founder Ron Loubier.

The shed that floated above a fence and out of the yard.

“It ended up over on Sauquoit Street,” Loubier said.

Incredibly, he said many of its contents stayed on the shelves, unfazed. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case for his home. Water reached the first floor — leaving behind a mess, and destroying valuable and sentimental items.

“It’s not just water. It’s sewage. It’s everything. It’s disgusting,” said Loubier.

He and other neighbors had enough of the problems. They formed the “Whitesboro Water Warriors," working with leaders to seek buyouts.

“I was like, ‘well something’s got to be done. We can’t just leave this,'” Loubier said.

The group holds meetings and keeps neighbors connected. Now, much of their time is spent informing neighbors about a potential buyout that requires community participation.

“If you don’t take this opportunity, I can’t stress this enough, my belief you’re not going to get another one. This is it," said Loubier.

One of the members helping to get that message across is Tammy Patterson, who helped go door  to door to speak with neighbors. For her and her husband, a buyout is essential.

"Can't do anymore. It's exhausting, it's frustrating, it's devastating," Tammy said.

The Pattersons have lived in their Sauquoit Street home for over 30 years, and it’s where they expected to live for the rest of their lives.

Like Loubier, they’ve had flooding in the past, but never as bad as 2019.

"2019 was horrific. It was. Don't ever want to live through that again,” Tammy said.

Water surged several feet outside their home, getting high enough for someone on a kayak to row over a fence and pick up Bill.

"You couldn't even see it. She came over it in a kayak, so it had to be another foot to foot and a half higher than that,” he explained.

That surging water knocked out their foundation.

"Everything was pushed in. There was water in there, and it was sewage in there. It was just yuck,” said Tammy.

Nearly a year since the storm hit, their home is still condemned, and they estimate it’d take about $50,000 to repair. With that, and their fears of future flooding, they’re hoping the buyout goes through.

"Mentally, it's getting tougher. I think it's the only chance we have really to get out of here,” Bill said.

Qualified Whitesboro residents interested in applying for the program that could bring these buyouts have until November 13.

More information about the program can be found here. 

More information about the Whitesboro Water Warriors, including a short video with testimonials can be found here.