New Boston Tornado Victims Get a Helping Hand

NEW BOSTON, Mich. - A tornado also hit New Boston on Sunday and damaged dozens of homes. Many of the people we spoke with say they are just heartbroken. However, friends and even strangers are coming forward to lend a helping hand.

"You've got a tornado that close to you, you feel like you're going to die," said Rhonda Flinkman.

A shard of glass embedded in the Flinkman's kitchen wall is just one more reminder of how the couple narrowly escaped death.

"Just as we got to the basement stairs, the glass flew down (the) basement stairs because (the) door was open. So, we just barely got around (the) corner before the glass followed us down the stairs," Rhonda Flinkman said.

They're just one of the New Boston families literally picking up the pieces and rebuilding their lives, but luckily they're not doing it alone.

"To have these people walk up with a hot pizza, it makes my heart just melt because that's the soft people stuff that people don't think about," said Rhonda Flinkman.

People and businesses from all over the area are stepping up to help these families. They're cleaning up debris and bringing hot meals, anything to make these long days that much more bearable. It's something for which these families will be forever grateful.

"I'm devastated that... this happened to our house, but the fact that we have such good friends and people that care, it's great," said James Flinkman.

Another thing that's making this process easier for families is that we're being told insurance companies are really responding quite quickly. They're getting crews and adjusters here within just a matter of hours, so hopefully that will help this community recover fairly soon.