2006 Tornado Retrospective

Monday, March 12, 2007

On the night of March 12, 2006, one or more tornado touched down in southern and western Saline County, causing damage from one end of the county to the other. A number of rural residents lost their homes, farm buildings and equipment, but there were no serious injuries reported. During the week of March 12 through 16, 2007, The Marshall Democrat-News visited some of those who were hard hit by the storm to learn about their progress recovering from the disaster.

Teresa Thomason looks out the back door of her new house, built on the ruins of the house that was destroyed in the March 12, 2006, tornado that swept through Saline County. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
Lorene Thomason, Bob Thomason's mother, was gravely ill at Fitzgibbon Hospital March 12, 2006. Bob and Teresa Thomason were visiting her when the tornado hit, destroying their home. Lorene Thomason died the following day. In the background is the new Salem United Church of Christ, built on the same site as the church building destroyed by the storm. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
The remains of Bob and Teresa Thomason's home on March 13, the day after the March 12, 2006, tornado. (File photo)
Bob and Teresa Thomason's new home, built on the foundation of the house destroyed by the March 12, 2006, tornado, is nearing completion. In the background is the home of Dan and Stephanie Keller, whose home was also leveled by the tornado. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)

From left, Jessica Keller gets help with a juice bottle from her mother, Stephanie Keller. The Keller family lost their home when the March 12, 2006, F3-force tornado swept through western Saline County. (By Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
From left, Dan Keller joins the rest of his family on a recent Saturday morning to discuss their experiences during the March 2006 tornado and their efforts to rebuild what they lost. Adrian Keller, who was 3 when the storm hit, told people afterward that her house "was broke by a tortado." (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
The Kellers' home is taking shape, although progress has been slower than they had hoped. The family hopes to be able to move into their new home in May. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
A small grain bin was blown off its foundation and into some nearby woods during the tornado that went through Saline County on March 12, 2006. One year later it still is wrapped around the tree where it landed, serving as a reminder of Mother Nature's strength. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News)