POLK COUNTY, Fla. — ‘Twas the night before Christmas and Scott Leavitt is tired.

What You Need To Know

  • Scot Leavitt's house was destroyed recently by a tornado

  • A GoFundMe has been set up to help him raise money to rebuild

  • He plans to rebuild on the same land

“I’ve been working real hard on this place and now my hard work is gone,” Leavitt said.

Just a week ago, a tornado smashed his award-winning ’67 Mustang and tore his house apart. Leavitt was inside his house and watched the nightmare unfold.

“It keeps going over and over in my head,” Leavitt said.

The days and nights have been sleepless ever since.

“2020 has been absolutely terrible since New Years,” Leavitt said. “Things just happening one after another and this is the grand finale.”

With his life in storage and as workers come and go, there’s a reality setting in. The reality of moving on.

For Leavitt, it means tearing down what’s left and rebuilding on the same property. This week, builders came to talk about the first steps. After all the support he’s received, Leavitt has no plans of leaving the neighborhood.

“Everybody has gotten together and helped out so much,” Leavitt said. “It’s been absolutely wonderful, things you don’t really expect.”

Scott lost a lot in the storm. Neighbors are helping him raise money to rebuild. A GoFundMe page has been set up.

A Christmas blessing of sorts among all the destruction.

“I’m down, but when you’re down like this, there’s nothing but up,” Levitt said.

Giving Leavitt a reason to smile this holiday through it all.

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