SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) –

Some flood victims are living in limbo, caught between two major rounds of flooding. They’re unable to do more than prepare for more high water before they can begin to fully repair and rebuild their lives.

The Red River swelled out of its banks just two weeks ago.

Steve Sipes owns one of the homes off of Wells Island.

“What a mess,” said Sipes while looking at his home.

He just finished building his house a month ago.

“Started it about 3 years ago. I’ve worked on it continuously when I had the spare time and I Actually just got it finished where I could live in it 6 months ago,” said Sipes.

Now, he is cleaning up the mess left behind by the Red River.

“We’ve ripped up all the floors, taken out all the sheet rock, ripped out the bathroom, ripped out the kitchen and then we’ve just been cleaning,” explained Sipes.

Sipes says the river is normally about 25 feet below his home, and even though the level has gone down, it is still too high for comfort.

“I can’t imagine it getting this high again, but if it does, I can’t prepare for it. You can’t sandbag this area,” said Sipes.

The forecast is predicting the river will crest at 32 feet, but officials are being warned to prepare for 34 feet. Sipes says his home did not flood until the river was at about 36 feet.

“It’s just devastating. I didn’t think it would get this high,” said Sipes. “I think I can save what has been destroyed now, at a minimum cost. But if it floods again, if it soaks again, it’s going to be a disaster.”

For now, Sipes will continue to clean and get it back to the way he had it.

“I’ve spent a lot of money and time in this place and I’m not going to let it beat me,” said Sipes.

Sipes says there are more than a dozen homes on Wells Island and he only knows two other people who are planning to clean up and stay.