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Residents of Reading celebrate surviving tornado, one year later

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May 21, 2012|By Melody Pettit | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(READING, Kan.) — Back and stronger than ever a year ago today a tornado plowed through Reading Lyon County killing one person and demolishing 54 of the community's 101 homes and nearly all of its businesses.

Damage was estimated at more than two-point-two million dollars.

A year later a sign outside Reading's rebuilt Miracle Café welcomes visitors, Monday's special is tornado taco burgers.

“It's been an emotional roller coaster,” said Amanda Meek.

After losing everything Jeff and Amanda Meek are slowly getting their lives back together.

They have a new house in the middle of town.

A ways to go but they made sure it had one thing their previous house didn't.

“A basement is a must for us. We’ve had to use it several times already,” Amanda said.

Back and better prepared, but like many here the decision to stay in Reading wasn't an easy one.

“When we all could have left we stayed here. We have been so strong as a community,” said Amanda.

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In fact city officials say only two families decided not to rebuild.

So much progress but far from normal, kids flock to the only playground toy that wasn't destroyed.

A year long journey of change and discovery for the people of reading.

“We’re closer than we’ve ever been before,” said Amanda.

A town that was almost wiped out, but is now back and stronger than ever.

Reading tornado, one year later.
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