Flooded Family Moves Home for the Holidays

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Dec 23, 2009 at 8:32 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 23, 2009 at 10:36 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS – Even though Cedar Rapids historic flood happened about a year and a half ago, the recovery process will continue for years to come. One family recently moved back home just in time for the holidays.

Lisa Bush and her son Luke Nyenhuis feel lucky to finally be back home for Christmas.

"It's a huge weight off my shoulders. I feel like I've lost fifty pounds,” Bush said.

"It's actually a nice feeling to be here because I have a lot more space, the dogs have somewhere to run and play and I've got my own place to go,” Nyenhuis said.

During the flood, about four feet of water destroyed everything on the first floor. Afterwards, the mother and son lived in a camper parked right on their property while they waited for help.

"I finally have learned that patience is a virtue,” Bush said.

Eventually, the Block by Block organization stepped up and helped the family install new drywall so they could move back inside.

They'll always be grateful to the volunteers from the organization who continue to help them through the recovery process.

"You just don't realize how great people are until they show their true colors. I've seen a lot of that since the flood and I am so grateful for it,” Bush said.

Family and friends have also comforted them whenever they felt overwhelmed or depressed.

"They've helped me through a lot and have taken care of me when I needed it,” Nyenhuis said.

Even though there's still work to do on the house, this mother and son couldn't be happier to be home. The family hopes to have much of the repair work done within the next few months.

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