Pulling Cars Out of Ionia

IONIA, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The first cars were pulled out of the flooded parking lot at the Ionia County Fairgrounds Saturday.

Roughly 1000 vehicles have been stuck there for a week now. Abandoned after the Grand River flooded during the B-93 Birthday Bash concert. But officials say the time is right to get those cars out.

However, a lot of these people were hopeful they'd be able to drive their cars off the this lot.

"I was devastated," said one person.

"They said it was a total loss," said another.

Even after last week's flood water receded the emotion's from the birthday bash flood are running high. Scores of cars, which have been sitting idle in the murky waters for a week, are being towed out one by one.

It was a bit shocking to some opening that car door for the first time.

"It was bad. I've never smelled anything like that in my life. I don't know how to describe it," said Stacey Owen of Holland.

But the smell may just be a minor concern. Those who were lucky enough to drive off did and others ran over to their insurance agents wondering what to do now with a car that simply won't start.

"Their will be a lot of cars that will be total losses but we have to look at each car individually," said Jeff Jones of AAA Michigan.

Nick Ferris like many of these folks are going home empty handed.

"I talked to my AAA agent and there is nothing they can do," said Ferris.

"I was hopeful they'd say it was okay, you can drive it home," said Owen.

"My hopes were high but when I got the paper work that said it was loss it was depressing," said Dori Shinderback of Plainwell.

And now many people are finding themselves with no transportation and no idea what to do next.

"They're going to tow it to an auto salvage and then I'll look for a new car," said Owen.

Because of the flooding, insurance agents will be here on site for the remainder of the week helping customers file claims and assist them in getting their cars out of this lot.