Local

Firefighter's home on Black Creek flooded during Hurricane Irma

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — While one local first responder was helping dozens across the area during Hurricane Irma, his own home on Black Creek was filling with water.

Andrew Sneed, a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter, came home to find four feet of water in his house and eight in his garage.

Fellow firefighters worked to help save what was not damaged inside his home, moving debris as Sneed’s home is ripped down to its frame.

Personal items of Sneed's family rest on the curb, waiting to be thrown out.

"It wasn't flooded to the ceiling -- so there was still salvageable stuff. Like pictures and items on the wall. Yes," Sneed said.

Sneed said floodwaters filled his home.

"Everything that was out there was in here floating -- pretty much," Sneed said.

During the storm, Sneed was focused on the safety of others.

"We got more and more calls during the night we'd go out -- and it was almost unsafe to drive the apparatus," Sneed said.

Insulation and dry wall had to be ripped out of Sneed’s home and a heap of personal items were ruined.

"Stuff is stuff and you can replace it -- but stuff doesn't bring you happiness stuff doesn't bring you joy," Sneed said.

Sneed said his family is irreplaceable and so are cherished items.

“I don't even know if they're salvageable, but the whole wedding album fell apart,” Sneed said.

Yet he said his home can be fixed -- it’ll just take a little elbow grease.

"It's hard work and time … and I'm not afraid of either," Sneed said.