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This story is part of the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative. For more information, go to pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines.
In LIBERTY COUNTY, Thad Todd, 64, and Linda Nelson, 58, had decided to permanently bid farewell to Texas after refusing to navigate the waterlogged roads leading to their residence. Opting for a simpler approach, they resorted to packing backpacks with essential supplies, including food and water, and trekking through the dense mile-long thicket to reach their destination.
During Hurricane Harvey, the Trinity River swept away the remnants of their previous life, and unfortunately, subsequent flooding and erosion prevented its return. To adapt, the couple exchanged their Ford Mustang Cobra for a 1984 Chevrolet truck, only to have the truck’s bearings and seals damaged by the relentless mud and dirt. In search of a more suitable vehicle, they traded the truck for a compact four-wheel-drive Suzuki Samurai. However, the makeshift trails that replaced the roads gradually became too narrow for the Suzuki Samurai. Consequently, they swapped it for a four-wheel ATV, which frequently malfunctioned and left them with no choice but to continue on foot.
Todd mentioned that his next plan was to purchase a horse.
Due to climate change, the increasing severity of extreme weather conditions in East Texas, such as frequent flooding and intense rainfall, has resulted in the gradual abandonment and devastation of a once-thriving rural subdivision located in the Trinity River bottom. This relentless onslaught of destructive weather has triggered a downward spiral, rendering the area nearly uninhabitable and leaving it in a state of decline.
Locals report that Sam Houston Lake Estates, a densely wooded neighborhood located approximately 60 miles northeast of Houston, used to have around 100 occupied homes decades ago. However, at present, there are less than a dozen homes remaining in the area.
For over three years, the homes in this neighborhood have been deprived of flowing water. The water company claims that they are unable to send vehicles to maintain their well. Moreover, first responders refuse to risk traversing the neighborhood’s narrow bridge and deteriorated dirt roads.
In cases of illness or injury, it becomes necessary for residents to transport or assist their neighbors in finding medical aid by driving or physically carrying them out of the woods.
According to previous residents, this riverbed used to experience periodic flooding in the past, but the severity of these floods has significantly increased in the last ten years. Experts suggest that climate change is the probable cause of this intensified flooding and accelerated erosion.
According to Jonathan Phillips, a retired geography professor from the University of Kentucky who extensively studied the Trinity River, increased flooding due to climate change will result in more frequent occurrences. This will subsequently lead to erosion in rivers, posing a threat to homes located nearby.
Living here used to be a breeze, but now it’s become difficult, causing individuals like Todd and Nelson to depart.
Communities worldwide are grappling with a range of environmental challenges, including stronger storms, disappearing coastlines, deeper droughts, extreme heat, and more devastating fires. Sam Houston Lake Estates serves as a prime illustration of this global issue.
It’s notoriously difficult to track the number of “climate migrants” — people who are forced to abandon their homes due to the effects of climate change — and estimates vary. But an experimental survey by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that around 3 million adults were displaced by a climate or weather disaster, mostly hurricanes or fires, within the last year.
According to the survey, an estimated number of 200,000 to 300,000 Texans are already experiencing displacement due to natural disasters annually.
Floods, whether brought by stronger hurricanes or more intense rain, are expected to be among the most devastating impacts of climate change on Texans, according to the National Climate Assessment. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was the most significant tropical cyclone rainfall event recorded in U.S. history and caused $125 billion in damage.
Nearly 6 million Texans — about 20% of the state population — now live in an area susceptible to flooding, according to the state’s first detailed analysis of the problem reported this year. Yet only about 753,000 homes, or 14% of Texas homeowners, are covered by flood insurance, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.
According to the state’s water agency, there are over 500,000 individuals residing in the Trinity River watershed who live within a floodplain that has a 1% or 0.2% annual risk of flooding, which corresponds to a 100-year or 500-year flood event.
Across the U.S., the federal government has turned to voluntary buyout programs to encourage “managed retreat” from areas that are repeatedly struck by natural disasters. Managed retreat can also include the government forcing residents out by seizing their property through eminent domain. In Harris County, which includes Houston, eminent domain has been used to seize land for flood control projects since at least the 1920s.
Yet state data shows that the money earmarked for buyouts pales in comparison to the number of homes at risk. When Texas received more than $5 billion in federal disaster recovery funds after Hurricane Harvey, the state allocated $189 million for buyouts or land acquisitions in the affected counties — excluding Houston and Harris County, which managed their own $56 million and $194 million buyout programs, respectively.
The state initially projected that the buyout funds would be sufficient to acquire slightly more than 1,000 homes in the remaining 37 counties. However, subsequent assessments conducted by the counties revealed that the actual number would be approximately 500, indicating that the initial estimation was overly optimistic.
According to a spokesperson, the General Land Office does not keep records of the total number of properties that were eligible for buyouts.
Ultimately, just 336 homeowners residing outside of Houston decided to apply for a buyout. Nearly all of them were granted approval, with less than 20 approvals specifically in Liberty County. Interestingly, the buyout offers in Liberty County have been significantly lower, averaging less than $60,000, which is approximately a quarter of the average house price in the county.
Liberty County Commissioner Greg Arthur expressed that finding another house elsewhere would be challenging, given the substantial amount of money they are receiving.
The progress in Sam Houston Lake Estates has come to a complete halt. The county’s grant manager has put a pause on buyouts in the neighborhood due to the inability to safely transport demolition equipment required by the federal government to tear down the flood-damaged homes.
Todd and Nelson find themselves devoid of any hope of receiving the financial assistance they were assured, ultimately leaving them with no choice but to relinquish their property and embark on a fresh start with absolutely nothing.
Todd, anticipating the escalating floodwaters caused by Harvey’s rainfall, took the necessary precaution of gathering food, four dogs, and a bird named Sidney before embarking on a canoe to seek refuge. For three agonizing days, he found himself confined to the second floor of a neighboring residence, expressing immense gratitude that his wife remained unharmed while visiting family in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, amidst the ordeal, they tragically lost one of their beloved dogs.
As the one-bedroom house that Todd had dedicated years to constructing was inundated, a torrential surge of five feet of water surged inside. Regrettably, the majority of their possessions, including Nelson’s treasured photo albums from his childhood, were irretrievably lost.
The federal government extended a financial offer to support their rebuilding efforts, but they turned it down. The extent of the damage to their house was too severe to warrant repairs, and the constant flooding in the years following Hurricane Harvey had taken its toll on them. They desired to move elsewhere, but lacked the necessary funds. Essentially, they were ideal candidates for a buyout.
After the local buyout program became available in 2019, they wasted no time in submitting their application. However, they had to endure a lengthy waiting period while residing in a fifth-wheel trailer adjacent to their decaying residence.
“Through the depths of hell we have ventured,” Todd exclaimed. “The chaos we witnessed was mind-boggling. And the madness persists even now.”
In June 2021, Nelson experienced a heart attack and realized that waiting for an ambulance was not an option. Fortunately, a helpful neighbor managed to locate someone with a four-wheel-drive vehicle who could assist in transporting her out of the woods and swiftly drove her to the hospital. Their timely action proved crucial in ensuring Nelson received immediate medical attention.
However, it dawned on both her and her husband that they could no longer postpone the buyout.
A month later, they left everything.
“It was nothing like this”
The roads near Sam Houston Lake Estates are decorated with advertisements promoting catfish and signs enticing homeowners with offers of “Cash!” As the smooth farm-to-market roads begin to transition into dirt paths, the surrounding tree branches gradually encroach, forming a tunnel-like canopy.
In the neighborhood, houses are dispersed across cleared forest areas with significant distances between them. Close by, there is a community center that used to be vibrant, hosting lively dance nights, but now stands as an empty metal structure with more open space than enclosed walls. The residents caution newcomers to avoid walking on the grass and be cautious of snakes, alligators, and wild boars.
During the month of August, a drought towards the end of summer resulted in the dirt roads becoming parched. This allowed Marvin Stovall, a road foreman working for Liberty County Precinct 2, to carefully maneuver his white pickup truck through enormous potholes, obstructive tree branches, and hardened piles of soil. His destination was the rear part of the neighborhood, adjacent to the Trinity River. The majority of the houses seemed deserted, marred by flood damage and in a state of disrepair.
Stovall reminisced about the past, recalling how splendid these houses used to be. Having grown up in Liberty County, he had fond memories of regularly visiting the dance hall during the 1970s.
“This right here,” he remarked while passing one abandoned home after another, “used to be absolutely beautiful. It’s nothing like this now.”
Sixty years ago, a farmer named Barney Wiggins began to buy this land in the Trinity River bottom. Wiggins, who’d had seven failed crops in six years, according to an obituary for his wife, Bonnie, turned to the real estate business to make a living. He began purchasing and developing land throughout Southeast Texas, advertising cheap rural lots to Houston residents.
Wiggins employed less-than-reputable business practices, such as allowing property owners to swap lots and immediately voiding deeds so he could resell the lots if an owner missed a payment, according to court records. Occasionally, the same lot was accidentally sold to two purchasers.
Sam Houston Lake Estates is a development in Wiggins that spans 837 acres on the east side of the river. The development boasts lakes filled with bass and catfish. To connect the plots in the subdivision, a 2-mile road was initially bulldozed and later improved with iron ore. Additionally, shorter dirt roads were constructed throughout the area. Although electricity and water services were promptly provided by rural utility companies, the absence of sewer lines and garbage collection remained a persistent issue. The responsibility for maintaining the roads supposedly fell on the property owners association, but according to a long-term resident, this arrangement was merely a way for Wiggins to absolve himself of any responsibility.
Presently, there exists a scenario where certain dwellings have been seized by squatters, while others remain forsaken and desolate, having been pillaged by thieves. A small number are utilized solely as weekend retreats. In the vicinity nearest to the river, only a few are still inhabited by their rightful owners.
Kenneth Brister, 77, has been residing on the riverbank for slightly more than ten years in a quaint, single-story wooden house with peeling red paint. Despite the ongoing discussions about potential buyouts, he steadfastly expresses his disinterest in partaking in one.
“I’ve managed to survive this long in my humble abode,” Brister remarked. “And I’ll continue to do so until the end of my days.”
Brister and other residents in the area have access to electricity, but they have been without a functioning water supply since 2019. The Lake Livingston Water Supply Corporation ceased its operations due to frequent reports of road washouts, preventing their operators from reaching the well for maintenance. As a result, the company decided to waive water charges and instead placed a small, dark-green water tank near the mailboxes, which is approximately three miles away from Brister’s residence.
Last year, the company told the state it wanted to cease that service too, but the Public Utility Commission ordered them to continue.
The county proposed the notion of assuming responsibility for road maintenance in the subdivision. However, an agreement failed to materialize as the county demanded that the roads comply with county codes beforehand. Regrettably, the residents were unable to gather sufficient funds to undertake the necessary repairs.
When the weather conditions are favorable, Brister uses his all-terrain vehicle to transport essential items. However, if it’s not suitable, he prefers to walk instead. Brister only brings the ATV to his house when the chances of flooding are minimal. On other occasions, he parks it close to the mailboxes.
Comparing it to gambling, Brister mentioned that you have the opportunity to manipulate the weather.
According to researchers, buyout programs can result in hollowed-out neighborhoods, lacking in services and resources, as they often fail to relocate the entire community out of harm’s way. This is due to the fact that voluntary buyouts generally take years to implement.
Chris Hilson, director of the Reading Centre for Climate and Justice, explained the necessity of a critical mass for movement. According to Hilson, if people relocate individually and sporadically, the buyout program will disrupt the tightly-knit community fabric that neighbors have collectively built. This disruption will discourage businesses from investing in the area, and government services will gradually diminish. Moreover, the remaining homes will remain vulnerable to future flooding incidents.
According to Hilson, persuading individuals to relocate is a major obstacle as the compensation provided in buyouts is frequently insufficient to secure alternative housing. Moreover, due to their strong emotional connection to the area, residents often underestimate the level of vulnerability they face from climate-related catastrophes.
He remarked that it forms a significant portion of their identity.
According to A.R. Siders, an assistant professor at the University of Delaware and member of the university’s Disaster Research Center, buyout programs are designed to include safeguards preventing local governments from eliminating essential services. However, in practice, as the population decreases in an area, it becomes less financially viable to allocate tax funds there. Additionally, government officials are reluctant to infringe upon individuals’ property rights by coercing them to relocate.
Siders, a prominent researcher on managed retreat, highlights that the concept of individual property rights mistakenly portrays homes as isolated entities when in reality they are interconnected. “These homes rely heavily on government infrastructure such as roads, water services, septic systems, and emergency services,” explains Siders.
According to Arthur, the Liberty County commissioner representing Sam Houston Lake Estates, the desires of the longstanding residents for dependable roads, assistance in raising their homes above floodwaters, and convenient access to clean water are beyond the capabilities of a small county with limited financial resources.
Arthur expressed his desire for various activities that he wished they could engage in, but unfortunately, they were unable to do so. He clarified that utilizing county funds for private roads was not an option, despite his wish for it. He acknowledged that they were bound by laws that dictated their actions.
Life in the bottoms
Several individuals chose to abandon their residences, which had been affected by flooding near the river, in favor of renting mobile homes that were situated nearer to essential amenities such as mailboxes, water tanks, and well-maintained roads.
Tina Cutsinger, a 65-year-old, exchanged her previous house and land for a dependable truck with a neighboring resident. Following this, she relocated to a mobile home on rent, situated at the front of the community. Tina firmly believes that neither she nor her neighbors require any form of compensation. According to her, the amount offered as a buyout would not suffice to purchase a new home elsewhere.
“We’re aware that if it floods once more, we’ll likely face another round of devastation,” she stated.
However, she further stated, “Our financial situation leaves us with no alternative but to stay here. We lack the funds to relocate.”
Residents of Sam Houston Lake Estates, lacking optimism in receiving government assistance, have made efforts to support each other in navigating their lives after the devastating Hurricane Harvey.
Edward Gibson, aged 68, has spent countless years residing in the foremost house of the neighborhood. His ongoing endeavor involved utilizing a tractor to mend the potholes in the roads, with the intention of rendering the rear of the neighborhood suitable for driving. However, despite his consistent efforts, it appeared that each time he successfully repaired the roads, the river would inevitably erode them once more.
“He said that it simply wasn’t going to occur.”
Fred Boyum, a 53-year-old resident, shared that in the aftermath of Harvey, he took the initiative to deliver groceries to his friends who were unable to navigate their way in and out of the neighborhood. Packed with essential items like water, food, and medical supplies, he embarked on a two-mile hike to reach their homes, using an old Army backpack. As a token of appreciation, his friends would often reward him with a six-pack of beer, according to Fred.
His mind was always preoccupied with concerns for neighbors who had medical issues.
Boyum explained that he feels a mix of emotions when his close friends depart, as he believes it is for their own benefit. He described this sentiment as a blend of both joy and sadness.
Arthur stated that the county’s primary concerns for the area revolve around medical emergencies.
According to him, a couple of years ago, Liberty County acquired two military-grade trucks from a government auction. These trucks are capable of maneuvering through various terrains and assisting residents in times of emergencies. However, he believes that this is not a sustainable solution. His objective is to purchase properties from as many residents as he can along the river bottom.
He expressed his hope for people to escape such situations, emphasizing that being unable to enter or exit is a matter of health and safety.
Linda Nelson is well aware of this fact more than anyone else. In the early hours of a June morning in 2021, she woke up experiencing illness. Despite Todd’s offer to stay home and take care of her, she declined and advised him to proceed with his work.
She had a heart attack while he was 50 miles away.
She expressed gratitude towards the neighbors who rushed her to the hospital, stating that without them, she would not have survived. Her hospital stay lasted for a duration of four days, and following that, there was a noticeable shift in circumstances.
She expressed her concern, questioning, “If I have another one, will I be able to escape from here?”
“Enough is enough,” Todd exclaimed. Only a few days after Nelson’s return from the hospital, he phoned her from his workplace, asking, “Would you like to escape from this place?”
They started packing for Oklahoma.
Bought out
The process is long and challenging, even for those who received the buyout funds.
For instance, Robert and Jinelle “Linda” Lawrence fondly reminisce about their cherished time in Sam Houston Lake Estates, where they dedicated their leisure hours to rescuing the numerous stray dogs and cats that roamed the rural vicinity.
During Hurricane Harvey, they hesitated to evacuate until the last possible moment because they couldn’t bear the thought of leaving their animals behind, which included two horses. In the following four days, they braved chest-high water to deliver cat and dog food.
After the horses were saved by volunteers, it was discovered that one of them had developed “river rot” on its hooves. The veterinarian assured the Lawrences that the horse would eventually recuperate, but this incident made them come face to face with their harsh reality: a floodplain was simply too hazardous for both the horses and themselves. Financially depleted and currently residing in their son’s residence, they made the difficult decision to part ways with their beloved animals, fervently requesting that they be relocated to a place far from the perilous river area.
Afterward, they managed with what they had by purchasing essential items from flea markets to furnish their trailer home in Cleveland. Their new residence, located just a short 10-minute drive from their former house, now occupies a section of their son’s property. The majority of their buyout funds were allocated towards purchasing the land, while they opted to buy the trailer through installment payments.
Jinelle Lawrence, aged 70, expressed her surprise, saying, “I never imagined I would find myself residing in a trailer home again.”
Having the additional $15,000 they were initially promised by the county would be beneficial, as it was intended as a bonus for staying in Liberty County. However, their grant manager informed them that they are ineligible for the funds because they purchased the trailer and land separately.
Liberty County received $6.7 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund its housing buyout program. Harvey flooded more than 5,000 homes in the county in 2017, and 70% of the money was earmarked for low-to-moderate income households. Only about 50 offers have been made, almost all to residents living close to the river, according to data provided by GrantWorks, the company managing the program, and 17 buyouts have been completed.
According to Tyler Smith, the grant program manager, the application deadline is in October, but the company has not received any new applications for several months. Although the buyout offers for single-family homes are officially limited to $331,770, the county typically offers much lower amounts. Smith mentioned that the buyouts have varied from approximately $20,000 to $180,000.
The typical offer amounts to $58,000, while the middle value for home prices in Liberty County stands at $224,000.
According to documents, the Lawrences received a mere $19,700 payment for the lake house they resided in from 1997 to 2017. This amount included a moving stipend of approximately $5,000. Surprisingly, an appraisal valued the house at $39,700. However, after deducting back taxes and an insurance claim related to Hurricane Harvey, the offer was reduced by 50%.
Robert Lawrence, a 71-year-old retiree, expressed his sentiment, stating, “I believe we have been treated unfairly. However, as it is the government involved, there seems to be no course of action available to us.”
According to Smith, homeowners are provided with a pre-storm valuation for their property. In the event that the offer is accepted, the government is obligated to demolish the building and impose a deed restriction to guarantee that the property remains open space indefinitely. The ultimate goal is for it to revert back to its natural state.
Despite not receiving a check for over six months, the Lawrences’ old house remains standing, untouched.
Jinelle Lawrence expressed her main reason for agreeing to the buyout by stating, “They assured us that they would flatten it down, and that’s precisely why I wanted to proceed with the deal. I strongly believe that it shouldn’t be inhabited, as there’s a risk of someone getting injured.”
According to Smith, it is proving challenging for them to arrange the transportation of essential equipment to demolish certain homes in Sam Houston Lakes. Failure to demolish these homes would result in the county breaching the conditions set by the federal funds. Smith mentioned that there are six homes in the area eligible for a buyout, but their remote location makes it impractical to demolish them.
One of the homes belongs to Todd and Nelson. Unlike the Lawrences, they did not receive the promised buyout money as the grant managers halted the process due to a dilemma. As a result, Todd and Nelson are obligated to continue paying property taxes for a home they were compelled to leave, while these taxes continue to increase each year in Liberty County.
“They should have paid us a long time ago,” Nelson expressed, highlighting that their property taxes significantly increased this year to $3,000 compared to the previous years’ approximate amount of $600. “They are failing to fulfill their promises.”
According to Smith, GrantWorks intends to employ contractors for the construction of a temporary road, with the purpose of facilitating the demolition of the homes. The proposal is presently undergoing an environmental evaluation. The exact timeline for the demolitions remains uncertain; however, Smith expressed optimism that they will be completed at some point this year.
Having spent over ten years in disaster recovery housing, Smith affirmed that he has never come across a situation similar to this one.
Smith stated that individuals who possess homes damaged by Harvey to such an extent that their houses are no longer accessible via road should be considered the perfect candidates for a buyout. He emphasized that this issue poses a significant challenge.
Smith expressed his belief that living in that place is not advisable and emphasized that there ought to be no dwelling in that area.
Up the river
Ray and Shirley Tarver, a couple in their 60s, are experiencing a sense of confinement within their residence, situated approximately five miles upstream from Sam Houston Lake Estates. Despite Ray’s prior efforts to prepare a trailer filled with their belongings several months ago, their plans to move are hindered by a legal dispute involving Shirley’s deceased sister’s husband, who is currently incarcerated and has not consented to the sale of the property.
Ray Tarver stated that if the guy in question were to sign the paper, it is highly likely that we would sell out by next week. Tarver emphasized that they are currently in a state of anticipation, waiting for a buyout and for the necessary signature to move forward.
The Tarvers reside in a community known as New River Lake Estates, where the streets are conveniently accessible and the water supply runs smoothly. Nonetheless, the path leading to New River Lake Estates closely follows the Trinity River, which progressively encroaches on more land each passing year. In the event of a flood, the sole means of escape is by boat.
After residing on the ranch-style property for three decades, Shirley received an offer of $170,000 from Liberty County for the home and land that her grandmother had purchased in the late 1960s. Initially inherited by her children, Shirley eventually acquired the property from her father.
Shirley Tarver expressed the need to consider the possibility of a flood, where everyone is forced to relocate without any compensation.
Despite consulting attorneys, sending letters, and engaging in numerous phone calls with their buyout program manager, the Tarvers are gradually losing faith in their prospects. Nevertheless, they remain hopeful that they will eventually secure the funds and proceed with their plan to relocate to Hancock County, Mississippi, where Ray’s family resides.
Shirley Tarver expressed her nearing inclination to forgo her plans and simply remain where she was by stating, “I’m reaching the point where I’m almost ready to say, ‘Never mind, I’m just gonna stay here.'”
The Tarvers are currently searching for an escape route, while in the nearby neighborhood, new residents have settled in following Hurricane Harvey. Hector Torres Vasquez, aged 48, reveals that he purchased a property in New River Lake Estates in 2019 to move his auto shop from Houston to a more peaceful location. He confesses that he had no knowledge of the buyout program.
According to Katharine Mach, a University of Miami professor specialized in managed retreat, situations where people move in while the government struggles (often unsuccessfully) to relocate people out are frequently observed when the incentives provided for relocation are insufficient.
According to experts, the government rarely resorts to eminent domain to condemn private property and relocate individuals from areas impacted by climate disasters due to its high cost and lack of political popularity.
Researchers are currently investigating alternative methods to persuade individuals to evacuate disaster-prone regions and circumvent the bureaucratic obstacles faced by homeowners residing in the Trinity River bottom. Siders, a scholar at the University of Delaware, suggested that governments could propose an arrangement to residents which is not dependent on the value of their property but rather based on the cost of equivalent housing in close proximity.
Despite increasing interest from local governments, researchers, and nonprofits in exploring alternative strategies to address climate change-induced impacts, effectively implementing “managed retreat” remains an exceptionally challenging task, according to experts.
Mach pointed out the significant cognitive dissonance that arises when funding for buyouts, which has mainly relied on post-disaster funds, is involved. This disconnection becomes evident due to the substantial time gap between the occurrence of the flood and the eventual execution of the buyout, which can take five to fourteen years.
“I’ll make a home”
Linda Nelson’s aunt resides in a charming ranch-style residence, nestled on a spacious piece of land just south of Warner, Oklahoma. Generously, she has offered Nelson and Todd the opportunity to park their travel trailer on her property.
Nelson grew up in the Cherokee Nation, where they currently reside, approximately 10 miles away from the closest major river. The road leading to their place is well-maintained, with no potholes. It was here, around four decades ago, that Linda, then 14 years old, and Todd, 21 years old, crossed paths for the first time. Their initial encounter took place while they were both employed at an iron and metal recycling facility.
“Just for the record,” Nelson clarified, “I never even liked him back then.”
It wasn’t until many years later, after Nelson had gone through marriage and divorce, and Todd had relocated to Texas for work, that they finally fell in love. One day, Todd found himself pondering over his past friends in Oklahoma, particularly a girl he had once known.
After driving to Oklahoma, he arrived at her mother’s house. There, a woman with vibrant red hair rushed towards him, tightly embracing his neck while shedding tears. All he managed to utter was, “Who is she?” It had been a staggering 16 years since he last laid eyes on her.
“After that,” Nelson, a natural brunette, stated, “we began seeing each other. And as fate would have it, one thing led to another.”
She decided to move to Texas in 2000 to be with Todd. Eight years later, they purchased a property close to the Trinity River, which included a small lake house that Todd skillfully renovated.
Twenty years later, after Nelson’s heart attack had left them shaken, they made their way back to Muskogee County, with only a small trailer carrying their belongings.
One of my family members inquired about borrowing a basic 30-foot travel trailer until they could stabilize their situation, or until they received the $51,000 from Texas to purchase a more comfortable one.
“I declared, ‘I will transform it into a home,'” Todd stated, “and presently, I am putting in the effort to accomplish it.”
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