A North Myrtle Beach community has undergone a remarkable transformation since wildfires destroyed many homes a month ago.
A North Myrtle Beach community has undergone a remarkable transformation just a little over a month since the Horry County wildfire.
The flames destroyed 70 homes in the Barefoot Resort community, but what's amazing is how quickly that area has bounced back.
Bob and Joanne Porteuss are just 90 days away from moving in to their new home. "We got our windows in. Wow!" Their new home is bigger and better than their old home that was destroyed by fire and this new one will include a gym.
"I'm determined to be the healthiest 80 year old guy in America and I'm gonna start right here in this gym," said Porteuss.
It's quite a change from the early morning hours of April 23rd when police navigated a living hell - warning residents to evacuate. Now, the same street has made a dramatic return to normalcy, an empty lot here, some burned-out rubble there, all punctuated by the sounds of renewal.
Like many others in Barefoot, Portuess never hesitated. "The day after the fire, I was in my insurance man's office, and I said, let's go."
Some have chosen to move on, but only a few. The Porteuss's decided to rebuild on the same site for the same reason as many others.
"Because of my neighbors. Fantastic, tremendous neighbors," said Porteuss.
It's been quite a roller coaster, to go from losing all of their possessions to wrapping up a new home in just a month and a half. Bob's wife JoAnne said, "After they got started, I came every day and took a picture and one day I would come and I wouldn't recognize if from the day before, so much had been done."
Bob Porteuss is one guy who can handle it. "Here i am 80 years old, and I get to start all over again. That's exciting!"
The Barefoot Homeowners Association is asking residents who lost their homes to have the debris removed within 30 days of the fire.
The city of North Myrtle Beach has issued 147 building permits in Barefoot Resort as of May 1st.
