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Flood Restoration Crews: 'Total Disaster' With Water Damage

ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4)- More than a week of nearly steady rain, coupled with a snowstorm and rapid melting, has resulted in thousands of flooded basements in the Denver metro area.

"It's a total disaster just like the Boulder floods," said Abbotts Fire & Flood spokesman Travis Chancey.

The saturated groundwater flooded basements along the Front Range from Castle Rock to Boulder.

In one Arvada home, crews removed carpet and pad, soaked with water that seeped up through the foundation.

flooded basement
(credit: CBS)

"They had an inch of standing water, I think, when we came in, carpets and pads, lower-level drywall and baseboards are wet," said AP Restoration spokesman Mark Pijanowski.

Inside St. Vincent de Paul Church in Denver, pools of water continued to flow into the basement on Monday, despite two days of water pumps and vacuums.

"I think what happened was, we haven't had this much water in that amount of time. Boulder floods were quick, a lot of water at once. This has been kind of drawn out," said Chancey.

RELATED STORIES: September Flooding Story Archive

Chancey says Mother Nature's fury has meant brisk business for his company.

"All hands on deck," said Chancey. Everybody has to work 24 hours a day to get this done."

flooded basement2
(credit: CBS)

His company has received up to 200 calls a day since Friday. The job to clean up the church will cost about $50,000. It's one of the more expensive repairs but not the costliest.

"A lot of losses I'm running into are over $150,000," said Chancey.

In addition to the flood cleanup and restoration, Chancey said he and his fellow restoration companies are offering clients a little more than flood relief, "That's what they need, some friendship and love, because everybody is crying, believe me."

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