Bakersfield tornado victims welcome new baby girl, start to rebuild home

Garrett and Desiree McCollum were just over two months away from welcoming their first child into the world when a deadly tornado tore through Bakersfield, completely blowing away their trailer that sat just off Highway 142. The couple had taken shelter with other family members in a root cellar on Garrett’s dad’s nearby property as the storm roared overhead, destroying dozens of homes and killing four people. They emerged safe - but homeless.

Now, two months after the tornado, the McCollums are in the process of building a home, and they’ve added a new family member, their daughter, sweet Sadie Rae, who just celebrated her one month birthday.  Desiree said the couple’s home will be a three bedroom, two bathroom black “barndominium,” built in the same spot their trailer used to sit. She said they plan to build a storm shelter on their own property near the house for peace of mind in the event of future storms. “We are hoping the house will be finished by October, but all the rain has set us back,” she said.

Both she and Garrett are both home on maternity/paternity leave from work. They are living with Garrett’s grandpa until their home is finished.