MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — 13-year-old Landen Soice sat in the back of his family's truck Tuesday, next to his twin sisters, who were both in tears.
They sat in the parking lot of the Microtel in Colfax, which for now, has a hotel room they call home.
"I thought it would actually be a great place to stop here and settle down and get a new home," said Landen of his family's move to Iowa.
Just 10 days after unpacking from Lincoln, Nebraska into a mobile home park in Marshalltown, Landen's family's home was destroyed by the derecho.
Their mother, Allison Million, is beside herself.
"I wanted everything perfect for the kids, and everything put away so they had their own place so this transition to a new place, to a different state, to a different town, would be so much easier for them," said Million. "And then the storm hit us."
Now, Million is just thankful to be alive to hug her children.
"We had to climb out the window to get out of our trailer," she said. "I thought I was gonna die in there."
Now, they're living out of a hotel as they await a home to rent. And Million is working tirelessly until she finds one.
"I wake up every day at 8 a.m. and just start making phone calls," Million said.
For now, they are looking for a home to rent in Marshalltown that fits the following qualifications:
- Around $1,000 per month
- Allows a dog
- Has a garage
- Three bedrooms
Donations for food or gas money can be sent to Venmo at Allison-Million.
Gift cards or monetary donations can be sent to their mobile home's mailing address, where mail is still being sent:
- 2552 Smith Ave. Lot 2, Marshalltown, IA 50158
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