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Nov 25, 2008 5:58 pm US/Central
6 Months After Hugo Tornado, Families Thankful
HUGO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The mess and all of the mayhem is now gone. The change of seasons in Hugo isn't so much about the temperatures or the bare trees this year but the lives being put back together, one piece at time.
CBS
The six-month mark for a deadly Minnesota tornado is bringing new meaning to the holiday season for families still rebuilding their lives.
On May 25, an F3 tornado tore through Hugo, killing a young boy, injuring nearly 20 others and destroying dozens of homes. Six months later the people in Hugo were giving thanks for all that's happened since the tornado blew threw their lives.
The mess and all of the mayhem is now gone. The change of seasons in Hugo isn't so much about the temperatures or the bare trees this year but the lives being put back together, one piece at time.
Sylvia McPeak's family will finally be home for the holidays. The tornado toppled their house while they were out of town and they haven't stayed there since.
"We couldn't imagine leaving this place. I just could not imagine not coming back," McPeak said.
Shelly and Rob Heimbach were home and still have a tough time even talking about it.
"It sneaks up on you, it really does. I think that's something that people don't understand. They just assume that this happens, and you start rebuild, and oh wonderful, the houses get rebuilt, but you're still left with all that," Shelly said.
The Heimbach's twin girls get counseling. They get scared when it's windy and ask if they have to go downstairs. But the hardest part has been the pond in their backyard where Rob saw his neighbor's children pulled from the rubble.
"There's not a day that goes by that I ask myself why we're still here. It could have been us," Shelly said.
Fifty-five homes were wiped out on that day in May; 350 were damaged. Just two lots are for sale for those families deciding to move out of Hugo.
Hugo's Mayor, Fran Miron, admits his community has a lot of work ahead.
"There was so many instances of neighbors leaving their own losses and helping others that have suffered loss, and I think that's an example for all of us," Miron said.
The Prindle family is one of those that decided not to rebuild. They lost their 2-year-old son Nathaniel that day. Their 4-year-old Annika is in a wheelchair now but her mom said she is doing very well and is going to kindergarten. The Prindles are moving to Shoreview.
Nearly a half million dollars was raised in the tornadoes wake to help families recover.
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