It's been almost two months since the storm of the century wiped out local villages and neighborhoods. While many people have cleaned up and moved on, some folks are still picking up the pieces Irene left behind.In Rotterdam Junction, the Serapilio family is continuing their dedication to rebuilding their parents' house so they can be home for the holidays.
"It's really our sincere wish for the whole community," said Arnold Serapilio who is helping rebuild his parents' home on Lock Street. "It's been seven days a week since August 29th," he said.
On that day, Arnie's parents, Arnold and Camille, were rescued from the second floor of their home, but the eight-foot tall flood waters ruined everything inside.
On Monday, Aug. 30, Arnie and his brother-in-law, Norman Torres, made a promise to their family.
"I said, 'what do you want to do,' he said, 'Norm, I'd like to have them back in there,' I said 'let's do it,'" said Norman.
So they got to work.
Last month, the family was tearing down walls and gutting the house and securing the structure. This week they showed just how far they've come by capturing part of the journey on home video.
Now with electricity, insulated walls, and sub floors, the family is beginning to see again, all that was washed away two months ago.
"You take things for granted in life," said Susan Torres, Arnold and Camille's daughter. "Just to be able to walk across the floor now so you can do some work is great."
For her brother Arnold, as they rebuild, memories come rushing back. "Sometimes when you walk up to the house at night, the house is lit, and you can hear people laughing, and smell the food as you approach, now everyone is excited and looking forward to those being returned," he said.
The family spends everyday, morning until night, working on the century-old structure and each day brings a surprise.
Last month they found bones under the house and discovered a trap door under the stairwell.
"We found some old bottles that made us think it was prohibition related operation," Arnold explained.
The family applied for FEMA aid and is working within that budget.
They say none of this could've happened without the help of volunteers.
"Volunteers saved Rotterdam Junction," Arnold said. "And that's not an overstatement."
Norman agrees, "It's not about us, it's about the beating that all of us took, and if you don't use your hands and your brain, if you don't know what you're doing, if you get the right guidance, you're valuable."
The family is running on little sleep and a lot of hope.
Each milestone brings renewed energy as they look forward to being home for the holidays.
"It can be done," Susan said. "Everyone is tired and people have to go to work, but life will go on again."
The family hopes to have the house wrapped up with doors and windows by next week. They're planning to bring their mom and dad back soon to see the progress.
