GRIFFIN, Ga. — One year after devastating tornados ravaged parts of Griffin and Spalding County, storm victims are bracing for the potential of more violent storms as they struggle to rebuild.
Rickey and Christy Phelps are among the homeowners who have yet to move back home. They bought their house on Ray Street in Griffin using retirement money. They spent six years working on the home. All of the progress was undone by one round of violent storms.
“She was ready to give up once or twice and I know I was at least once,” said Rickey.
“It’s just kind of an empty depressing feeling because you don’t know from day to day the process or how long it’s going to be,” said Christy.
It wasn’t just the four trees that gouged the roof, destroying the kitchen and a bathroom.
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
“We didn’t have homeowner’s insurance because I had to have surgery, and that took extra money that we had,” said Christy. “So not having insurance was rough.”
The couple got a phone call that changed everything.
Church groups and non-profits stepped in. Volunteers repaired the roof, stripped away damaged drywall, and replaced the electrical system.
Among the volunteer groups helping the Phelps and other storm victims a year later is the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
“There are so many homes we’ve visited that need new roofs, and because it’s been so long, there’s mold that’s gotten into the home and all these issues,” said Katie Johnston with UMCOR. “People are living in hotels and they’ve been doing that for a year.”
The Phelps have been out of their home for a year and counting, but they’re looking at what they have rather than what they’ve lost.
“It’s a roof,” said Christy. “We’ve got a roof over our heads, right?”
It’s round two of fixing the home they bought as a fixer-upper. This time, the Phelps know they’re not alone.