ROCKPORT – Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Harvey struck, some people in Rockport are starting to rebuild. FEMA is also on the ground helping with the recovery process.

Many residents said their port town went through a lot in a short amount of time.

"It’s painful but I still recognize it (Rockport) a lot of the new went and a lot of the old is still standing strangely enough, Mother Nature is funny that way," said Richard Atkins, a Rockport resident.

Atkins is one of the few who took the storm head on in Rockport nearly two weeks ago.

"I gotta say I don't want to do that again, it's off my bucket list," he said.

While debris continues to stretch as far as the eye can see, Atkins says it's time to keep moving forward.

"Doing the best I can to keep my income coming in, to keep my family up and at the same time doing a service to the community," said Atkins as he gears up to reopen his tool sharpening shop.

He says his business is doing more than keeping his finances afloat; it's keeping his mind of all the destruction all around him.

"The stress is amazing it's nice to be able to focus on something other than all the problems around us," said Atkins.

FEMA is also focused on moving the town forward.

"We went right into the recovery phase helping the survivors work through this," said William Lindsey a FEMA representative on site.

The sights from across the port town are apparent; the road to recovery will be a marathon.

"We'll be going into a long term recovery operation FEMA is here the people we have on the ground and they will remain here till the job is done," said Lindsey.

As people continue to sift through debris, one thing they are finding Harvey didn't take was their spirits.

"I think this is going to make this community stronger. We're a lively little crew here we live by the ocean," said Atkins.