”Karla Horanic's property along Denny Road flooded about 10 feet in May, causing damage to her land and home. Her family is still recovering from the incident. After this dirt is pushed, she'll be able to reseed her yard.”

MIDDLESEX TWP — Karla Horanic's house along Denny Road had an estimated 10 feet of flooding on May 28.

Her family escaped via canoe with the assistance of emergency personnel, but they lost two cars, many personal items and the sense of having a secure, comfortable place to call home.

“I'm trying to rebuild my life,” Horanic said. “I'm trying to rebuild my home.”

Horanic felt her efforts to do so were drenched July 18 when she was visited by a man who she thought was a state Department of Environment Protection agent. He was inspecting a pile of “topsoil” in her yard, which had received complaints.

“He just said I was interfering with 'their' floodway,” Horanic said. “I flipped out.”

Horanic told the inspector to leave and posted the account to the Middlesex Township community Facebook group, generating 100 comments. She hasn't heard from the inspector since.

The inspector was Ian Harrell, district manager for Butler Conservation District. He visited Horanic's property to assess the worth of a complaint his office received.

This is a preview of an article that will appear in Sunday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read more about Horanic's situation and what Harrell's job entails.