And they have.

14 relatives on Michelle's husband's side of the family have arrived!

"Nine children and 4 adults now," says Sadie Richburg who can't get the images of the 'Katrina' out of her head.

"We watched houses do 360 in the middle of the road. We watched trailers go on top of houses. Cars, boats go under water," Sadie says.

Together they survived. Together they will start over. Not in the south. But here in Olympia.

"We can do it," says Angela Richburg. "We have a lot of help".

Michelle and her husband Zenas have offered their home. At least one other home has been donated to the families.

Neighbors have donated clothes and food. Angela Richburg says it's a lot like the southern hospitality she's used to.

"We survived everything," says Angela. "We have no fears. We've overcome our fears".