Rebuilding continues in Riegelwood

RIEGELWOOD -- The work to rebuild homes and lives in Riegelwood continues. It's been nearly five months since a deadly tornado struck the small Columbus County community. Eight people were killed. Dozens of homes damaged, many destroyed. Saturday was a new day for some of those who lost their homes. They now have new homes built by volunteers. Tornado victim Darryl McNair walked down the steps of his new home on an extra special Easter holiday for his family. McNair said, "It's wonderful. I'm happy, very excited." McNair's home was destroyed when the tornado ripped through Riegelwood. But no sadness now, only celebration as he shows off his new house. "Just going through that process of losing everything, this makes it feel better knowing," McNair said. But McNair isn't the only happy one. The volunteers who built three new homes on Holly Tree Road were thrilled to see their hard work finished. Volunteer Gail Joyner said, "We have made friends and it's going to be hard for us to go. But there comes a time that we have to come and time we have to go." Joyner, from Greenville, N.C., has been living in her travel home since January to help with the rebuilding. "I just love it because I'm helping somebody else, and they are so appreciative here," Joyner said. McNair has been moving in slowly, but says he'll be completely settled in for Easter Sunday. The North Carolina Baptist men expect to finish one more home on Holly Tree Road this week.