Prairie Public Broadcasting

Northwood: One Year Later NORTHWOOD, ND (NDPR) - This weekend, the community of Northwood will mark the anniversary of the E-F-4 tornado that ravaged the Grand Forks County town. City Administrator Marcy Douglas says the storm destroyed homes, businesses and trees, but it could not destroy the people's spirit...

"...Everybody has had such a great attitude about rebuilding and there's so many of them rebuilding bigger and better than they were - and taking the opportunity to either make energy efficiency changes or make additions or making things like they've always wanted them. You know, I really admire everyone here for that. It's all because of them."

Douglas says while there is still work ahead, this weekend's events will give the town a chance to look back at the past 12-months, and what they have achieved since that stormy night

"...Many of the residents are in their homes and most of their work is complete. So you'll drive down the street and you'll see new siding and new roofs and new windows everywhere, and it's really shaping up beautifully. And a lot of the businesses are rebuilding. We do still have the issue of some unsafe buildings on Main Street that we're hoping to have down by the end of the year."

Along with a Friday night movie in the town's park, and a street dance Saturday night, Douglas says they have community events planned through the anniversary, on Tuesday. © Copyright 2009, NDPR