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Flood-damaged home restored by local carpenters in San Diego

Elaine Jefferson and her family lived in her house ruined by January's flooding for months. Thanks to volunteers, her home was repaired at no cost.

SAN DIEGO — Elaine Jefferson's home got a remodel months after it was damaged by January's historic flooding. She, her daughter, grandchildren and a friend lived in the water-damaged home for months, even breathing in mold. 

“It was just going by so fast, even a washing machine passed our house. A refrigerator went up on top of somebody's car, and oh my kids were scared," Jefferson said.

The Harvey Family Foundation found Jefferson still living in the damage while surveying houses in the Emerald Hills neighborhood. 

The Harvey Family Foundation contacted Union Carpenters Local 619 to help rebuild her home at no cost. The Harvey Family Foundation provided the supplies, and Union Carpenters Local 619 volunteers donated their time to install drywall and insulation Saturday.

RELATED: Four months after January flood help is still needed in recovery efforts

"As a union carpenter we live here, we work here and these are our neighbors right here in San Diego. So this is what we do, you know, we go and help out whoever is in need and that's why we're here," said Victor Diaz, union representative for Union Carpenters Local 619.

Jefferson's home is just one of more than 30 houses the union has helped rebuild since February.  

Credit: Union Carpenters Local 619

"What we do is a lifestyle. Union carpenter is not just work, it's a career and it's a lifestyle. This is part of what we do, we give back to our community, we give back to the people that need our help," Diaz said.

Saturday, Union Carpenters Local 619 finished their work on Jefferson's house. All that's left to do is the floors and paint.

"I'm just so excited, because I never thought anything like this would happen to me," Jefferson said.

RELATED: County transitions flood victims from temporary lodging program to longer-term housing

Jefferson said the plan is to move back into her home sometime next week. 

"I’m just dying to see what it's gonna look like and it's gonna be so great, you know, to have a new place to go back into," Jefferson said. "I'm so excited, I really am, I'm so grateful."

WATCH RELATED: County transitions flood victims from temporary lodging program to longer-term housing

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