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Tornado recovery a year later in Washington

WCBU | By Tanya Koonce
Published December 8, 2014 at 9:46 PM CST
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Harry LaHood Park in Washington about a year after the November 17, 2013 tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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One of the homes that faces Harry LaHood Park is still under consructions at the one year annivesrsary of November 17th tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Some homes have been built and other lots are for sale around Harry LaHood Park about one year after the November 17th tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Consruction and reconstruction is at varying stages all around Harry LaHood Park near the one year anniversary of the November 17th tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Some lots are under construction, others are waiting to be constructed and still other residents have already moved in to their new homes about a year after the November 17th tornado distroyed about 800 residences in Washington.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Reconstruction continues throughout the area hardest hit by the November 17th tornado last year.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Some of the remaining trees still tell the story of the November 17th, 2013 tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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The consruction and reconstruction has also brought a variety of workers and work vehicles to the community.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Moving trucks mean at least one family is a major step closer to finding their new normal about one year after the November 17th tornado.
Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio

No part of the City of Washington went completely unaffected by last year’s tornado, whether directly or indirectly. Monday, November 17, 2014 at 10:45a.m. the community gathered for a collective moment of silence at the same time the EF-4 tornado tore through the community last year. 

Credit Tanya Koonce / Peoria Public Radio
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Peoria Public Radio
Volunteers are constructing a gazebo in Harry LaHood Park in Washington, preceding the November 17th anniversary.

The community gathering was in Harry LaHood Park, in the middle of the area hardest hit by the storm. Peoria Public Radio’s Tanya Koonce visited the park and talked with Washington Park District Executive Director Doug Damery ahead of the event:

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