Broken Arrow Family's Future Still Up In Air Following Tornado

One family recovering from May's tornado in Broken Arrow has been battling the excessive heat and what they say is a slow response time from their insurance company.

The Perrier family has been cleaning up ever since the twister touched down. 

Just over a month ago, the family was hunkered down in an interior bathroom as an EF-2 tornado ran over the Broken Arrow community. They're just trying to figure out now: are they going to repair this house or build an entirely new one? 

"The adjusters and the structural guys that came out all said it was a very well built house and I'm very grateful for that," said Broken Arrow homeowner Steve Perrier.

Instead of relaxing by the pool or taking the day off, the Perrier family has been cleaning up their tornado damaged home.

"It's been tough. I have to count to 10 because it's tough. I want to go home, but as you can see I can't just come home and there are times that you just want to come home put your feet up and just sit down," said Lorey Perrier.

Lorey Perrier has been working inside the family home with no air conditioning. Temperatures are in the high 90s as the Tulsa area experiences the hottest week of the summer.

"Every body has their spirits up," Steve said. "It's just been non-stop since the storm.

They've been working on their home til 11:30 or later every night, he said.

They're getting settled into a rental home, but are anxious to find out what the next chapter of their life is going to be. They're hoping a decision from their insurance company comes soon.

The family's insurance agency, State Farm, gave us this statement: 

"Each claim is unique and is handled on its own merits, and we work to resolve all factors that may arise in the process. Our commitment is to help our customers recover as quickly as possible."

Debris has been piling up along the Perrier's busy street.

Steve Perrier, Homeowner, "Our hope is that we can demolish the house and rebuild either this house or another house whatever the case may be. But that's what we're hoping for. This house has got so much damage that I don't trust it anymore," said Steve Perrier, Broken Arrow homeowner.

The family says even public clean up efforts have been slow.

"You just have to smile and go on. We'll pick up the pieces and do what we have to do," Lorey said.