CBS Atlanta 46Austell community still struggling to bounce back after floods

Almost three years have passed since a major flood forced hundreds of people in the Austell area out of their homes. 

Many of those homeowners - for one reason or another - abandoned their houses.

Now the City of Austell is working to find the missing homeowners in order to get the eyesores cleaned up.

One of the residents who didn't abandon his home was Charles Wheley.

"It's been really ugly," said Wheley, as he pointed to the vacant houses near his home.

Wheley had lived in his home for 18 years. But now that discarded houses dot every street and every corner of his community, he told CBS Atlanta News he barely recognized the neighborhood he used to love.

"I was hoping that at least the city or somebody would try to at least find the owners or something, and at least keep it up," Wheley said.

CBS Atlanta News learned that Wheley might get his wish. The city of Austell is working to try and find the owners of approximately 100 deserted homes, or to find lien holders to tear down the structures.

The goal is to stabilize communities like Wheley's, without costing the city money.

Wheley said he knew firsthand the pain and suffering the 2009 floods caused to members of his community, and he is still rebuilding his home. He said he hoped the city will move quickly so that the eyesores which surround his will either be torn down or fixed up soon.

"The area is coming back slowly, real slowly," Wheley said. "It's still pretty ugly around here."

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