Family Who Lost Home To Mudslide Finally Able To Rebuild
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The historic June floods left a permanent mark on a well-known high school basketball coach and his family.
The record rainfall sent a mudslide cascading into the Carlson's Le Sueur home, making it unlivable.
It's been a trying few months for the couple, but the family recently began moving in the right direction.
"We can't throw anything away. This is where it all is," Randy Carlson said.
Most of Randy and Terry Carlson's things fill their daughter's basement.
"Initially we had it in 12 different spots, which was good that you keep a journal. Now we're down to all of our belongings in three different places," Terry Carlson said.
The Carlson's moved in with daughter Brittney after they were forced out of their Le Sueur dream home.
In June, a mudslide filled the back of the house in seconds, and with it, took 10 years of memories.
Insurance didn't cover the damage, and without feasible government assistance, they were unsure how they could afford the $250,000 to shore up the hillside and then repair the home.
"Every day you're wondering what you're going to do with this place and how you're going to move on," Randy Carlson said.
Randy's coached in Belle Plaine, Minn. for decades, and had always planned to continue coaching. But after the floods, he came out of retirement and started teaching again part-time.
And he drives a school bus in the morning.
"Teaching is what I've been doing for 34 years. And I'm used to it, and I can do it," Randy Carlson said.
Things are looking up.
Late August, a contractor bought the house. The sale, coupled with community fundraisers, allowed the family to squash their anxious uncertainty.
"People have been unbelievably good. It's just amazing. And that's the main reason we can do why we can do it," Randy Carlson said.
The Carlson's recently bought land in Belle Plaine. It's where they plan to build a new home and to re-build their lives.
They'll break ground in April.
"The uncertainty is gone. We know that next year at this time we know where we'll be living. We know the house that we basically are going to be building and that's a big, big part of it," Randy Carlson said.
A Go Fund Me account was set up for the Carlson's. Click here to learn more.
