Two Years Later, Recovery From Washington Tornado "An Unbelievable Blessing"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two years to the day after a powerful tornado ravaged the central Illinois city of Washington, killing three, and destroying hundreds of homes, the city's mayor said the recovery has been "remarkable."
Washington originally had planned a ¾-mile walk called "Forward: A Walk for Washington" to mark the second anniversary of the twister, but the walk was cancelled due to thunderstorms and windy conditions expected to last through much of the day on Tuesday. A brief ceremony that was to be held afterward has been moved indoors.
Mayor Gary Manier said Washington has come far in just two years.
"It's a remarkable recovery that we've seen here," he said.
Podcast
Of more than 1,000 homes that were destroyed or severely damaged by the EF-4 twister two years ago, only six or seven homeowners have yet to decide if they will rebuild or sell their property.
"There's probably 19 or 20 total that we know contractors have bought that will put spec homes up; or neighbors have bought, and maybe leave it as a park, or put another house next door to them," Manier said.
The mayor said his city has become so attractive, people are building houses where there weren't any before.
"Where we're at is just an unbelievable blessing. After two years, to think about it – obviously you know quite well what that first winter was like with 56 inches of snow, and then last winter – to have only six or seven lots that we don't know what the folks are going to do," he said.
He also said residents have become closer to each other than before.
"Neighbors now know their names of their neighbors, instead of just the little wave from the mailbox, or when they're mowing their yard," he said.
