Two days after a devastating EF-3 tornado passed through the Dallas suburb of Rowlett, homeowners searched through the debris looking to salvage any personal items.
They were met with piles and piles of wood, leveled houses and dozens of overturned vehicles.
But out of the debris and destruction also come stories of survival.
Your Tornado Photos - December 26, 2015
Gina Berkshier's sister and grandmother were trapped underneath their home Saturday. Gina's family rescued the pair, but couldn't find the family's two dogs.
While Gina's sister and grandmother recuperated from minor injuries, relatives returned to the what was left of the house.
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Monday, while sorting through the rubble, they heard a familiar sound.
"Oh, we heard him," said Gina. "We heard him crying out and barking."
Family and friends immediately started digging.
After 20 minutes of breaking down debris, Sawyer the dog was found.
"Oh my gosh I have not been able to sleep these last few nights," said Gina. "I was just praying."
Sawyer was buried for two days underneath the rubble of two houses. While filthy and in pain, a friend took the dog immediately to a local vet.
Doctors said miraculously, Sawyer has no broken bones or injuries. He is a little banged up but doing great.
Four hours later another prayer was answered. The family found their second dog.
Lucy the Chihuahua was tucked underneath a mountain of scrap.
Both dogs are expected to be OK.
Chopper 5 Surveys Tornado Damage on December 27, 2015
NBC 5/Kroger Team Up For Tornado Relief
NBC 5 and Kroger are teaming up to get help to the victims of the deadly tornadoes that tore through North Texas on Dec. 26. Spare change will be collected in boxes at the check-out registers at every DFW-area Kroger grocery store. All of the money will go to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
