As some people wait for power to be restored so things can get back to normal, others are waiting for insurance adjusters to come tell them if their homes are salvageable.

     Numerous homes in the area received damage from falling trees and other debris during Hurricane Isaac.

     Two couples that received damage to their homes during the storm were Allen and Becky Morgan and Mitchell and Cindy Schmitz.

     The Schmitzes’ home on Dianne Drive in Brookhaven may not be salvageable after a large oak tree struck it on Wednesday night.

     The couple decided to get some food around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after Mitchell Schmitz came home from work. About 15 minutes after they left, a neighbor called to tell them what happened.

     “I was glad we went to eat and were not in the house at the time,” said Mitchell Schmitz.

     More than 12 hours after it happened, the possible loss of their home was still sinking in for the Schmitz.

     “It’s a disheartening feeling,” said Mitchell Schmitz. “You’re still in a state of shock. Right now we’re trying to find out how much we can save.”

     The most severe damage to their home occurred to the front left bedroom, which they said was completely soaked from rain. However, the entire home experienced damage.

     In 2005, when the area was affected by Hurricane Katrina, Schmitz was in Iraq serving with the Mississippi National Guard. Their home was not damaged in that storm, despite having many trees around it.

     Due to the widespread damage to the home, the couple believes there is a good chance their insurance company will consider it a total loss.

     “We’ve been very blessed,” said Schmitz. “The good Lord has taken care of us. Most of the items in the house can be replaced.”

     As of Thursday afternoon, the Schmitzes were staying at the Comfort Inn while waiting on more information from their insurance company, which they said has been very helpful.

     “The service we received from our insurance company could not have been any better,” said Schmitz. “The tree removal crew was here by midnight and worked as much as they could even in the weather.”

     For now, the Schmitzes are waiting.

     “It’s hard to say what the plans are now,” said Mitchell Schmitz. “We’re waiting on the insurance company.”

Cindy Schmitz’s remarks on the last few days may sum up the sentiment for many in the area.

     “Isaac wasn’t supposed to be as strong as Katrina,” she said. but the damage he’s done has made history.”

     Elsewhere in Lincoln County, the Morgans are waiting to hear from their insurance company about the oak tree that fell on their home on Weeks Lane.

     Around 7:15 Thursday morning, Becky Morgan was getting ready for work when she heard a cracking. That’s when a large red oak tree fell on the back left part of the house, causing damage to the roof above their guest bedroom.

     Allen Morgan said the damage could have been much worse.

     “We’ll able to stay in the house,” he said. “It got the spare bedroom, which was the least-used room in the house.”

     After the tree fell, the Morgans called their insurance provider to begin the process of recovering. They were told to remove the tree from the house and secure the home and to keep any receipts they may get from buying anything they would need during cleanup.

     As of Thursday afternoon, the Morgans had removed the tree from the house and were placing a tarp on it to protect it from rain.

     Comparing Hurricane Isaac to Katrina, the Morgans said Isaac was worse for them.

     “We lost more trees this time than in Katrina,” said Becky Morgan. “We’ve lost six or seven trees in this storm. It’s been an experience.”

     The couple’s home is surrounded by many trees, and they said they were fortunate that this was all the damage that occurred.

     “We were blessed this was the one that fell,” said Allen Morgan. “It could have been much worse had another tree fallen. We were lucky.”