|
On March 28, 1999, almost a year to the day that the tornado went through St. Peter, I went back there to take some photographs of the progress that has been made. Old buildings that suffered extensive damage were torn down and news ones with modern looks take their place; some buildings were redone but not torn down. Then there were those building that were torn down but never replaced -- what stays in their wake is empty expanse. Many of the city's major landmarks stand no more. There were times when I felt like I was lost driving down the roads, and I knew every street in that city!! Trees, which were once the pride of that city, are now just small saplings; the big ones having been felled by the tornado.
The City lives and life goes on in it. Everyday that one drives through it, one is reminded of the devastation of the tornado. Thankfully I don't have to drive through it everyday -- the pain would be huge! These people seem resilient and strong and will make it. Everyday is a new challenge for many, but it looks like they will pull through. Even more amazing is the City of Comfrey -- a city that size with the amount of damage it suffered was sure to have perished, but it has risen from the rubble and is moving towards recovery. I did not visit Comfrey; but rather only St. Peter because I lived there at one time. My heartfelt wishes for a strong recovery, however, go out to all the communities affected.
While it is tough to show progress without showing damage, in the few pictures below, I hope to show not only what remains in the wake of the tornado, but also what has been rebuilt since then. My trip to St. Peter was on a dull dreary day and the photographs are darker than I expected. I hope I am able to portray what I saw in person, in St. Peter, One Year Later.
/Zubin.
|