KUALOA — After a series of damaging rains flooded her yard and nearly her home, Hau'ula resident Judy Wolfe visited the city and state Civil Defense's Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center yesterday to try to get someone to clear a stream near her home that often overflows.

"When we try to call the city, they say it's the state's job. When we call the state, they say it's the city's job," said Wolfe.

"I don't care who does it, but someone needs to."

Wolfe was among dozens of people who visited the disaster relief center at Kualoa Ranch yesterday seeking help for issues ranging from pumping out cesspools to receiving disaster loans to clearing stream debris.

A total of 120 people whose homes, farms, businesses or property were damaged during the recent heavy rains visited the center Saturday and yesterday, according to state Civil Defense.

The Red Cross estimates that 137 residential properties were damaged by flooding over the past two weeks. Floodwaters rose 3 feet or more inside four of those homes.

Ed Teixeira, vice director of the state Civil Defense, said he believes the number of affected homes and businesses could easily reach 200.

"I predict that many people haven't come forward," said Teixeira, adding that damages could end up totaling between $5 million and $10 million.

"I just have a sense that the numbers are higher," he said.

The center is not reopening today, but people who still need flood assistance can call the Aloha United Way's 211 hot line.

Among the most common inquiries were requests, like Wolfe's, to remove debris from yards and streams. Twice in the past year, Wolfe said, her yard has flooded after Kapaka Stream jumped its banks.

"There's a small drainage tube under the bridge that is always clogged," she said.

After the heavy rains two weeks ago flooded her yard and nearby homes, Wolfe said people in her neighborhood took it upon themselves to clean out the stream. She said requests for help to government agencies have gone unanswered.

"If it weren't for my (neighbors), my house would have been flooded," she said. The water reached her porch and she said one of her neighbors paddled down the road in a kayak.

Many who visited the relief center this weekend were looking for a way to deal with damage to their home or other property, said Teixeira.

On Saturday, 21 people inquired about the state's Disaster Commercial and Personal Loan Program, said Tom Smyth, of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

By yesterday afternoon, Smyth said about seven people had inquired about a loan. Homeowners affected by the flood could be eligible for a $35,000 loan at 5 percent interest. Businesses could be eligible for a $75,000 loan at 5 percent interest, he said.

The city is offering a similar program. No federal dollars are available to homeowners at this time, said Teixeira.

"At this point, since we just haven't found the sufficient documentation to pursue federal disaster assistance ... the best we can offer are these kinds of programs to help people out," he said.

Carol Tyau-Beam, with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, fielded inquiries about flood insurance.

"Most people didn't have flood insurance and the ones who did have flood insurance, unbeknownst to them, just had building coverage not content coverage," said Tyau-Beam, the state's national flood insurance coordinator. "That's basically an outright loss for them because the homeowner's insurance is not going to cover the content loss" like furniture, computers or other personal belongings, she said.

Tyau-Beam said she has received dozens of inquiries about flood coverage in recent days.

"I am hoping that people are aware that anyone in Hawai'i can buy flood insurance. You don't have to be in a flood designated area," she said.

The city Department of Environmental Services helped with special trash pickup and arranged for cesspools to be pumped, said Teixeira.

Bill Bortfeld, a Hau'ula resident, asked the city to help pump a cesspool at Rainbow Estates, the housing property he manages. He said the rain has settled in the cesspool, spreading a sewage stench through the area.

"It needs to be pumped because with the rain that is expected, I am sure it will fill up again," said Bortfeld, 73. He also asked Civil Defense to clean out debris that has nearly covered the beach behind the property.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.