CHRISTIANSBURG -- Three weeks after heavy rains caused a sewer backup and flooding on Cameo Court, affected residents say they don't have as many answers as they'd like from town officials.

Their primary question: Who ultimately will pay for thousands of dollars in damages and cleaning fees from the May 15 storm?

"We've been here eight years and never had any problems like this," said Bill Cockey, who lives in one of three homes affected by the sewer backup.

Cockey said the problem started about 2:30 a.m. May 15. He and his wife frantically scrambled to save possessions in their basement as the murky water rose eight to 10 inches above the toilet.

Though they were able to save a television set, other items -- including their wedding photo album, his grandfather's antique rocking chair and sofas -- had to be thrown away. The once-finished basement now appears unfinished as carpet and drywall were destroyed and had to be ripped out.

Neighbor Monica Hunter was tending to her new puppy when the backup hit. Because the rain was so heavy -- town officials have said some areas received 6 ¹₂ inches of rain in three hours -- Hunter couldn't take the dog outside to use the bathroom, so she went to get some puppy pads out of the garage. On her way back upstairs she heard a "gushing" sound from the basement.

"There were literally, probably about six inches of sewer water downstairs," she said.

Hunter said it was "very evident" that the sewage system had backed up, based on the color and smell of the water that was flowing from both the sink and toilet.

All three households gathered outside that night, compared stories and planned to talk with the town when daylight came.

That was three weeks ago.

Cockey estimated his bills at between $16,000 and $17,000 in property damage and repairs. Hunter said her cleaning fees are $5,178, and estimates an additional $11,000 in repairs and $4,000 in property damage.

"Whether the town was at fault or not, I don't know. ... Unless the town determines they're liable, we're stuck," Cockey said.

Neither of their homeowner's insurance policies covers damaged caused by a sewer backup, they said.

An insurance agent from the town visited the three homes. But Cockey said the agent came after his basement was cleaned, and he wishes she could have seen the damage sooner.

"She didn't get the full effect," he said.

Wayne Nelson, the town's director of engineering and public works, said his staff is conducting an investigation of the neighborhood sewer system. That report will be given to the insurance company, which will then have an independent third party review it, Nelson said.

Residents will have the opportunity to review the report, he said.

Nelson said crews have been using smoke tests and camera systems to document the condition of the sewer lines. The town's initial observation, Nelson said, was that an extreme amount of rain overwhelmed the sewer system, causing high flows.

Cockey said he sees town employees investigating every day, and he has been photographing them working.

Hunter said she worries what they will find.

Both Cockey and Hunter said neighbors have complained in the past about flooding at the culverts behind the property when lesser rains occurred.

On May 28, Lewis Linkenhoker of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality investigated the house of another neighbor, Jennifer Whittemore, after receiving complaints that sewage had gotten into a nearby creek. That report was unfounded, Linkenhoker said.

"Based on what I saw ... it didn't seem to me that any sewage probably got into the creek," Linkenhoker said.

For now, the Cameo Court residents pay come out pocket to get their homes back in order.

Unlike her neighbors, Hunter doesn't own her home.

"As renters, we're in a catch 22. We don't have the headaches, but are paying a massive amount of rent to pay for three levels when we can only live in two," Hunter said.

Nelson said he would rather let the investigation play out rather than speculate about the problem. Above all, he said as a homeowner and resident himself, he wants the residents to know he empathizes with their situation and is seeking solutions.

"I would want the residents to know that the town is working diligently to address this situation," Nelson said.