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Homes from Bayou Corne donated to tornado victims

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Napoleonville- The small community of Paincourtville sits on Bayou Lafourche in northeast Assumption parish, an area still recovering from tornadoes last February.

"It completely destroyed the True Value, Lablanc Brothers Cement, the water tower and then a great deal of homes right here," said Brad Collins, a local pastor who helps survivors in the hard hit community.

The area was denied a federal aid because there wasn't enough destruction. Residents who had insurance rebuilt, but those without had to fend for themselves.

People in Assumption Parish are no stranger to disaster. In 2012 a sinkhole opened in Bayou Corne just six miles from Paincourtville.

Many blamed the incident on the company Texas Brine for the failure of one of it's decommissioned salt mines.

Since then the company has bought up many homes around the sinkhole, houses that have just sat there until the tornadoes earlier this year.

"We began to think could this help the people who went through the storm," said Collins. "And at the same time Texas Brine asked if there was a way to connect with the victims."

Collins and his church coordinated with the company to transport eight homes from Bayou Corne to Paincourtville. So far a handful of mobile homes and an entire house have been relocated.

"It's amazing to see industry, churches, the community affected by the storm all come together," said Collins.

To qualify for a donated home, survivors must own the property and pay the moving cost. Collins says many volunteer groups and companies from across the region have helped with this effort.

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