"ST. LOUIS -- Carol DeVaughan assumed her suburban St. Louis home simply was settling when cracks appeared in the walls. When she noticed huge gaps between her fireplace and ceiling, and that her family room was starting to tilt, DeVaughan knew she had bigger problems."
"Like thousands of other Americans getting stuck with huge repair bills, she learned the intense drought baking much of the country's lawns, fields and forests this summer has been sucking moisture from underground, causing shifting that can lead to cracked basements and foundations and damage above ground. Repairs often cost tens of thousands of dollars and can top $100,000. And they rarely are covered by insurance, as shocked homeowners have been learning.
DeVaughan, a retired Presbyterian minister, said she expects it will cost more than $25,000 to fix the split-level home in Manchester, Mo., where she's lived for 27 years. "I had retired," said the 70-year-old who has stayed busy filling in at the pulpit for vacationing pastors. "I guess I'll keep working.""
Jim Salter reports for the Associated Press September 1, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Drought Has Mississippi River Barge Traffic All Choked Up" (Los Angeles Times)
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