Articles

By Heather Lewis

Survivors of a deadly tornado in Franklin County came together Friday to remember lives lost and celebrate progress the county has made.

One year ago after a tornado ripped through Denning and Etna, the communities are recovering and moving forward.

“We have lost a lot, but we’ve rebuilt a lot,” said Denning Mayor Paul Lee, after a special ceremony held Arkansas Tech University’s Conference Hall in Ozark Friday.  

The numerous volunteers who stepped in with search and rescue efforts, as well as recovery efforts were recognized.

“They came out of their offices and out of their comfort zone and they put their selves in a war zone,” Mayor Lee said.

Congressman Steve Womack, R-Ark., was also in attendance. He says the story of a little girl named Piper who survived deeply touched his heart.

“Sucked out of her trailer from her mother’s arms, and found alongside a road,” he recounted the story of that night. “The trailer demolished. Her mother inside–she doesn’t survive.”

Three people lost their lives as the deadly tornado spun through Etna and Denning.

Just down the road from where Piper lived, Peggy Bartlett and her husband have rebuilt their home.

“The people who passed away were really on both sides of us,” she said. “One on one side, one on the other and yeah, we’re pretty lucky.”

After living eight months in a motorhome, Bartlett says she and her husband moved into their new house in January. This time they are prepared for severe weather. The new home has a tornado shelter built in.

“We feel a little safer now just having that and knowing that we can get in it,” Barlett said.

Franklin County Judge Joe Powell also proclaimed May 25 as a day of remembrance.

The treasurer of Denning says a more than $300,000 community center will soon be built in the town to serve as a storm shelter during severe weather.