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Ringgold: A year after deadly tornado

 

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Scenes of devastation from Oklahoma town

Scenes of devastation from Oklahoma town

The city of Moore, Okla., was hit by a mile-wide tornado Monday afternoon.

Midwest, Plains hammered by tornadoes

Midwest, Plains hammered by tornadoes

A look at the devastation strong storms caused across the midwest and central plains states.

Images from the deadly Texas tornadoes

Images from the deadly Texas tornadoes

At least six people were killed Wednesday as a spring tornado outbreak devastated parts of North Texas, destroying or damaging dozens of homes and injuring dozens of people.

 
  • On April 27, 2011, an EF-4 tornado devastated the town of Ringgold in Northwest Georgia, killing eight people and carving a path of destruction not seen in Georgia in more than 50 years. A year later, residents of Cherokee Valley are still rebuilding what the tornado took fewer than five minutes to destroy.
  • The tornado's undeniable force was most felt in a small neighborhood where at least four people were killed.
  • The tornado's path cut through Jeanie McClure's home, rocking it off its foundation. The tornado that ruined the McClure home was one of an estimated 305 that came to life across the South that fateful day in late April.
  • Homes have begun to rise along the most-devastated areas.
  • The deep scar left by a tornado that barreled through Ringgold is visible at Ringgold High School. Broken glass was embedded in the football field. Light towers were bent in half, their tops almost touching the ground. A brick wall that lined the baseball stadium, known as
  • The tornado left the high school in shambles. Officials opted to tear down, rather than restore, the most heavily damaged structures. Demolition began almost immediately in the hopes of having the high school ready for students again by fall.
  • Little by little crews cleared debris. The cost of clean-up and repairs at the school, which closed, was estimated to top $25 million - $200,000 for the athletic facilities alone.
  • Construction of the Ringgold High School football stadium is now complete. Next to the stadium, Ringgold Middle School is a work in progress.
  • Ringgold High School baseball coach Brent Tucker (left) and athletic director and football coach Robert Akins look over the refurbished fields. They say workers used metal detectors to locate and remove debris left behind from the tornado.
  • The tornado demolished the Mount Peria Baptist Church. In the days following the tragedy, members of the church gathered for services in the parking lot. A new structure is being built and congregants now worship in a temporary home.
  • The congregation of the Mount Peria Baptist Church was left without a home. Construction of the new church has started. In the meantime, Pastor Jimmy Ingram holds his Sunday services at the American Legion Post 40.
  • The recovery continues for Dennis Self. Self, 63, has undergone five surgeries on his ankle after being injured in the storm. His wife, Sandra, 60, (right) says she was carried off in the tornado.
  • Sandra Self says that after being tossed around by the tornado she came to find her Bible pinned to the floor open to this page. She highlighted a verse (Job 12:9) on the page:
  • This is all that's left of what used to be the home of Sandra and Dennis Self. They built a new home across from this property.
  • The EF4 tornado -- packing winds of 166 to 200 mph -- cut a 13-mile path of destruction across the Caootsa County seat, leveling stores, hotels and restaurants along State Highway 151 just off of I-75.
  • The 176 mph winds shredded through the Red Roof Inn along with other businesses on State Highway 151 just off I-75.
  • The
  • A new McDonald's stands in place of the old one. But broken pipes and electric connections of what was once a gas station along Highway 151 remain in ruins.
  • Signs try to deter the curious from visiting the empty lots.
  • Some businesses have been restored, but reminders of what once stood along Highway 151 remain.
 

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