LOGAN COUNTY — It’s been one year since a deadly EF-3 tornado ripped through Logan County and the community is still in the process of rebuilding.
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A year later, Don Odenweller is holding a window into the past. He made a framed reminder of what things looked like the morning after the deadly tornado at Russells Point to hang in his home.
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“The power pole was laying against the house. We had a shed sitting here, and the only thing that was left is the floor and this bicycle. Everything else was gone,” Odenweller said.
Odenweller told News Center 7 that he rebuilt his lake house himself.
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As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, there’s now a mix of new buildings and construction in the works, but there’s still signs of storm damage.
Jim Reed, owner of Spend A Day Marina, recalled how it felt to see the devastation after the tornado came through.
“Coming over Orchard Island Bridge and seeing the destruction here was pretty emotional, considering that we’ve spent our lifetimes buildings,” Reed said. “It’s amazing to see what nature can destroy in 10 minutes.”
Reed’s family has owned Spend A Day Marina on Indian Lake for 75 years. They’re rebuilt boat docks, their show room, shop, and several other out buildings.
As Reed knows, not everyone there has been so fortunate.
“Some people are still struggling and some businesses are still struggling through that rebuild process,” Reed said. “And we all hope that that can come to a conclusion for them. And they’re - fortunately there are still people out there that want to help.”
Brenda Crabtree gave News Center 7’s John Bedell a tour of Orchard Island, showing him how things have changed since the deadly tornado. She echoed Reed’s sentiment of the community wanting to help each other.
“I see the progress that’s been made and the community is so tight, and it’s like, I know we still have a lot to do but I know we can do it together,” she said.
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