Rebuilding A Life:
A Year Later

On the day after Christmas in 2015, a dozen tornadoes ripped through North Texas, killing 13 people and damaging or destroying hundreds of homes. KERA has been following four families pushed to the financial edge by the storms. With the holidays approaching, we return to Rowlett and Garland to see how these families are rebuilding their lives a year after disaster.

A KERA News Digital Project by
Courtney Collins, Molly Evans,
Mark Ho-Kane and Eric Aasen

Kaden Beck, 6, leaps through the window of a wall that the December 2015 tornado took out. Photo/Lara Solt

Resources
February 16, 2016

Be Prepared Before And After The Storm

By KERA News

The Rowlett home of Alfredo and Anthony Fowler-Rainone received extensive damage during the Dec. 26 tornado. Photo/Lara Solt

Interactive
February 17, 2016

Here’s How To Build Your Own Tornado Kit

By KERA News

What is left of a home across the street from the home of Alfredo and Anthony Fowler-Rainone. Photo/Lara Solt

March 2016
February 18, 2016

After Tornado, Couple Rebuilds Their Home — And Their Lives — On Tight Budget

By Courtney Collins

Charlie Beck, and his daughter, Kairi Beck, 8, walk through their Garland home. Photo/Lara Solt

March 2016
February 19, 2016

Without Adequate Insurance, A Family Starts From Scratch

By Courtney Collins

This isn't hail -- it's broken glass outside the Rowlett home of Lindsay Diaz. Photo/Lara Solt

March 2016
February 20, 2016

After The Storm Roars Through, Insurance Troubles Mount

By Courtney Collins

Jennifer Anderson and her two sons, Jayden and Jordan, ages 6 and 4
have been living in a hotel room since the storm. Photo/Thorne Anderson

March 2016
February 21, 2016

For This Single Mom, Recovering From Disaster Is Nothing New

By Courtney Collins

A house, a damaged tree and debris near the home of Alfredo and Anthony Fowler-Rainone of Rowlett after the December tornadoes. Photo/Lara Solt

Dec. 26, 2015
February 22, 2016

How A Stormy, Deadly Night Changed Four Families Forever

By KERA News

Homes across the street from Alfredo and Anthony Fowler-Rainone in Rowlett. Photo/Lara Solt

Introduction
November 18, 2016

A Year After The Tornadoes, Four Families Struggle To Start Over

By Courtney Collins

Jennifer Anderson goes over homework with her 6-year-old son, Jayden, at a rental home they share with a roommate in Garland. Photo/Lara Solt

Nov. 2016
November 29, 2016

Single Mom Finds New Home But Still Searching For Peace

By Courtney Collins

From left: Alfredo and Anthony Fowler-Rainone have moved back into their home (with their dogs) in Rowlett. Photo/Lara Solt

Dec. 2016
December 6, 2016

After Exhausting Rebuild, Couple Moves Back Home

By Courtney Collins

Lindsay Diaz and her son Arian at the lot in Rowlett where her duplex was mistakenly torn down. Photo/Lara Solt

Dec. 2016
December 13, 2016

Bracing For The Storm’s Anniversary After Months Of Strife

By Courtney Collins

Jessica Cadick lost her rental home in the storms that tore through North Texas last December. Photo/Samantha Guzman

Dec. 2016
December 20, 2016

After A Tough Year, Family Celebrates: ‘We’re All Still Here’

By Courtney Collins

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One Crisis Away

KERA's One Crisis Away project focuses a spotlight on North Texans living on the financial edge.

The problem's known as asset poverty, and it doesn’t discriminate. A job loss, health emergency, even legal trouble can be enough to plunge a third of our friends and neighbors into financial distress. One Crisis Away puts a human face on asset poverty and the financial struggles of people in North Texas.

Explore One Crisis Away.

KERA's One Crisis Away series Rebuilding A Life: A Year Later is funded in part by Communities Foundation of Texas and Texas Women’s Foundation and the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation.