Sanford Flood Victim Gets Keys to New House

And it's not just any new home - it's the kind that was paid for by the surrounding community.

It's been almost five months since the dam breaches that created the historic and horrific flooding in mid-Michigan. Back in May, both the Edenville and Sanford dams broke after heavy rains drained the Tittabawassee River.

Penny Tyler is just one of the many victims of the fast-moving floodwaters - the house she's lived in for 55 years was completely destroyed. Penny was in a car accident years ago and survives on Social Security, so living in her familial home was a huge help to her financially...until the floods.

Her home was completely destroyed and she's been living in a camper since May. Dave Dennis, the owner of Great Lakes Homes, informed Penny back in June that he'd be building her a new home, free of charge. She was also informed that Midland Area Interfaith Group and the Islamic Center of Midland would be providing the furnishings for her.

Last Wednesday, Penny was given the keys to her new home.

The community had helped to raise enough money to pay for the building of her new house at no cost to her; Great Lakes Homes wanted to get the home built before the snow arrived.

"My life just seems like it's been scrambled. I've been watching this house go up and all I can think is, 'It's gonna be just so cozy, I just can't wait to go in there and be able to sit down and relax for a minute,'" Penny told WNEM-TV5 news.