Old Towne cleans up after Nor'easter

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Mary Pizza is a native New Yorker whose had to learn a hard Tidewater lesson.

"Maybe it was about 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., when it started coming in everywhere," said Pizza referring to the water that flooded her apartment on Dinwiddie Street last Thursday.

"Awful, it can make you sick just the smell," said Pizza as she described the scent inside her home.

In between fresh air breaks, Pizza is taking stock of the damage.

Some things can be replaced, others can't, like Pizza's water damaged pictures of her grandson.

Her neighbor's carpet has already been ripped out. It sits on the curb. Pizza's carpet is like a sponge that has yet to be wrung.

The only things not wet are the ones she put in a plastic bag. "I have my cell phone, a flash light, the charger to it and keys," said Pizza.

During the nor'easter, Pizza took cover on the highest place possible, her bed.

"Yeah, it became a life raft it did."

Now, even that is ruined. She is staying upstairs with a friend and a microwavable meal.

"A tv dinner tonight, I'm too tired," said Pizza.