WEST PITTSTON -- It has been five years since the flood of 2011. Hundreds of homes and properties were damaged as flood waters quickly filled the streets.
"It's sort of shocking, every year, to think how much time has passed," Anne Bramblett said.
The West Pittston Library was one of many properties with extensive flood damage in Luzerne County.
"It really was like a tornado went through the library. You hear of how devastating water can be, but until you actually see it inside a building, it's really hard to wrap your head around it," Bramblett said.
Inside the library, nearly everything was damaged.
"It was just so sad to see the devastation that water can cause. It was frightening. It really was," Chain Dessoye said.
The water inside the library was about four feet. It took months for things to get back to normal.
"I think in the beginning it was the fear that there was a possibility that the library wouldn't come back. We thought that it may be easy for the community to say, well, we don't really need a library," Bramblett said.
The community stayed by the library's side every step of the way. Community members helped clear out books and organized several fundraisers.
Residents did all they could to make sure the library bounced back.
"It just seemed that people were so dedicated and so intent on staying in West Pittston that they all rebuilt and stayed. It's great," Dessoye said.
