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Downpours Cause Ceiling Collapse In Lauderhill

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LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) – The relentless rains forced a Lauderhill family out of their townhome after water poured into their home and collapsed their ceilings.

An orange sign on the home along 56 Avenue means the home is uninhabitable.

Video from Lauderhill Fire Rescue shows water flooding into the family's home Friday afternoon.

"I lost everything," said Francine Bien-Aime Frederick. "All my living room gone. All my furniture is destroyed."

The rains dumped tons of water on the roof of her townhome and the ceiling gave way, sending water through every crack and opening like a series of waterfalls.  Seven people were home at the time, including several children. All are fine.

"I'm so glad my kids are ok," she said. "They're good. No one get hurt."

Restoration crews worked for several hours to remove the water and try to dry things out. One of the workers showed us a picture, illustrating why this happened. He said a drain pipe disconnected under the roof sending rainwater into the ceiling rather than outside.

Neighbors say water leaks are nothing new in the Wimbledon community.

Nina Ross says these huge marks on the ceiling are from numerous leaks over the years and she said the community association has not addressed the problem.

"Now that the neighbor have a roof collapse it's even more fear now because that could happen to us," Ross said. "We could be the same situation."

Francine Frederick is staying with friends and family but isn't sure what the future will bring.

"There's nowhere to move and I don't have the money," she said.

Frederick she has three kids, including one heading to FSU in the fall, and they've lost almost everything.

CBS4 News did call the homeowner's association earlier today but it was after hours and we could not reach anyone.

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