HOLLY HILL, Fla. – Holly Hill resident Vernon Vanduyne said it's bittersweet watching his home of four years being demolished Thursday morning but he's just ready to move forward.
"It's kind of sad. Your home, everything you own just getting crushed up and getting thrown away like garbage," he said.
But Vanduyne smiled through his sadness, to record his step-grandson take the first swing at the house they once called home.
"I thought just a little branch was going to come down," said Izayah Richardson.
Within minutes, the house crumbled to pieces around the big oak tree, that had sliced through the home during Hurricane Matthew. The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave Vanduyne the maximum amount of money to start over.
"They gave me enough to destroy the house, clean up the mess. I probably got $5,000 or $6,000 left," Vanduyne said.
It will take a few years to rebuild on his property, but for now, Vanduyne said he is just thankful to be with family during the holidays.
"We'll have something better, with better memories, “Vanduyne said. “You know. I'm here with him to have Christmas, so that's all that matters right now."
Vanduyne told News 6 demolition and cleanup should be completed by next week.