In Rowlett, Volunteers Finish What Tornado Started

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ROWLETT (CBS11) - In Rowlett, real progress Friday for families still recovering from December's tornadoes.

Still, it is clear that the road forward will also be paved with tears.

"It's so hard just driving through the neighborhood and down the street," says Mandy Steinbruegge, "it'll never look the same again."

Mandy occasionally wiped away a tear as husband Mark stood stoically nearby—allowing the memories free reign. It had to happen. But, it was still hard. Volunteers gathered at daybreak to finish was the tornado started: demolishing their Rowlett home.

For Mark: "watching my smoker get torn up and my outdoor living space" was hard, but adds with a Marine's typical toughness that he will get another and "hopefully it doesn't get taken out by another tornado."

Although bittersweet, the demolition is a critical step forward. The family plans to rebuild on the very same spot.

The family is insured. But, says the cost of demolition cuts into the resources they'll have to rebuild. So they are extremely grateful for the effort organized by volunteers to handle the demolition.
"It's just been really great," says Mandy, "it's been a blessing and just don't know what we would have done without them. Really appreciate it."

Volunteers with 'Thirst No More,' a non-profit formed by a coalition of like-minded churches to promote compassion, teamed up with McCarthy Building Company of Dallas to demolish four damaged houses in Rowlett.

"We build buildings all around the country, but to be able to help and participate one on one with the families members here in Rowlett is just a true blessing for us," says Charles Buescher III, Vice President Business Development, "and we know it is for the homeowners as well."

By days end, only the concrete slab remained.

The family spent 18 years in the former home and says they're looking forward to returning to their Rowlett community.

And what a good omen: their son, Robbie, now 23, managed to snag his childhood police scooter from the rubble in just the nick of time!

"We feel very close to the neighborhood, and the community," says Mandy, "we just want to come back here and start over again."

"A new start," says Mark, "new beginning…and good times after."

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