• FLOODS of '08 VIDEO
While hundreds of flooded out homeowners wait for direction from the city, they got it this week.
But it wasn't what they were looking for.
In one of the most definitive answers from this city council so far: They said, mow your lawn-or else.
The mandate and reaction to it...is CBS 2s Reality Check.
It's clear no one has lived here, for a long time...home after home in the Time Check neighborhood remains abandoned.
"Seven houses...not coming back," Sharon Groom said.
Sharon groom and her brother James sat on their front porch like they have since they were kids.
"My parents built this house when I was six years old, Sharon said.
She hopes they'll be able to move back in soon. She like so many of her neighbors are waiting for guidance from the city. Guidance so far, slow in coming unless it has to do with keeping the lawn mowed. This week, the city said mow, or else we will and charge you for it. That seems like an interesting priority to Sharon.
"Who cares? We want to get our house back...the lawn isn't the first priority right now!" she said.
Brother and sister barely got themselves out before two feet of water rose in their home...as for the lawn mower?
"Where is it?" she said, "i don't what how it's ridiculous.
Councilman Jerry McGrane says it's a health issue.
Tall grass invites rodents and other critters but even councilman Jerry McGrane, living in a FEMA trailer right now, doesn't know where his lawn mower is either.
At the time of the flood, making sure your yard was mowed wasn't the first priority," Councilman Jerry McGrane said.
And Sharon says it's still pretty low on her list,
"I think it's ridiculous...I think it's crazy, she said.
Reality Check: City tells flood victims to mow their lawns or else
