Memories Of Tornado Prompt Plainfield Man To Build Shelter
PLAINFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Here in the Chicago area some tornado survivors have installed tornado shelters just in case.
CBS 2'S Brad Edwards went inside a shelter in the southwest suburbs that's given one resident peace of mind for a lifetime.
It was the day that Duane Johnson moved in, the day in the annals of local storm stories: The Plainfield Tornado.
"I came back home and the neighborhood was gone," said Johnson.
Johnson lost two new neighbors. He remembers their names and exactly what they were doing that day.
His new home was rebuilt, and he added a tornado shelter.
"It's built to take a good hit. It's 4-by-4 construction," said Johnson.
Complete with a vent, lantern, water.
"It's good to know that it's here," said Johnson. "It's very important to have a crescent wrench. If the subdivision gets his by a tornado, you'll need the wrench to turn the gas mains off."
He watches Oklahoma with a perspective.
"It's really hard for me to see that," said Johnson.
He seldom ventures there. It's used for winter storage, but when spring comes it's readied.
When asked if he has a fear of storms now, Johnson replied, "No but I have a healthy respect for them that I never had before."
