Jan. 23--A couple in Camillus woke up earlier this month and found over half a foot of water in their basement.
The temperature had climbed to 60 degrees in Central New York on Friday, Jan. 12 -- melting the snow blanketing the region. Heavy rains arrived, causing basements and streets flooded.
The Fairmount Fire Department responded to the home of Richard Zera, 79, and Theresa Zera, 73, near Warners Road around 9:05 a.m. that Friday and found about 8 inches of water in the basement. Firefighters said the water had risen above the burners for the home's hot water heater and furnace.
By the end of the day, temperatures were expected to plummet below freezing. And thanks to the flooding, the couple had no heat.
"The couple advised the chief that they had nowhere to go and that they had no family members that could help assist them," firefighters said.
The fire chief called a restoration company and advised them of the Zeras' situation, firefighters said. The chief then wrote down the fire department's number for the couple and left the home.
Hours later, the couple called the firehouse when the temperature dropped below freezing. They said the restoration company couldn't help them for at least two days, firefighters said.
The chief returned to the Zeras' home and noted half a foot of water remained in the basement. A fire crew joined the chief and discovered the couple's sump pump had stopped working, firefighters said.
After a firefighter bought a new sump pump for the couple, the firefighters replaced the pump -- helping drain the flooded basement, firefighters said.
The department offered to place the couple in a hotel until their heat and hot water heater could be fixed, firefighters said. But Theresa Zera -- who is in a wheelchair and has health issues -- wasn't comfortable leaving her home, firefighters said.
The department's president spoke to Ernie Kreis, the owner of Ernie Kreis and Sons Heating Co Inc. and Sons Heating. Kreis rushed to the couple's home.
"Prior to the engine crew even being able to pick up, Ernie arrived in sneakers and waded through the water," firefighters said.
Kreis determined the couple's furnace and water heater had been ruined. He placed space heaters throughout the home so the Zeras' would stay warm overnight, firefighters said.
Firefighters bought a dehumidifier the next morning and returned to the couple's home.
"On arriving we found that the heaters had done their job, the standing water was gone and that Ernie Kreis and his crew were already putting the finishing touches on the replacement furnace and hot water tank," firefighters said.
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