Tornado

A year after monster tornado, community honors Moore tornado victims, looks to future

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Xavier Delgado, center, and his sister, Haley Delgado, left, are greeted by Moore police Sgt. Alan Wallace, right, as arrive for the start of school at the temporary site for Plaza Towers Elementary school in Moore, Okla., Tuesday, May 20, 2014, one year after the May 20, 2013 tornado destroyed Plaza Towers school, leaving Xavier Delgado and other third graders trapped in the rubble. Wallace was on site at the school helping to rescue children the day of the tornado. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Xavier Delgado, front, and his sister, Haley Delgado, rear, arrive for the start of school at the temporary site for Plaza Towers Elementary school in Moore, Okla., Tuesday, May 20, 2014, one year after the May 20, 2013 tornado destroyed Plaza Towers school, leaving Xavier Delgado and other third graders trapped in the rubble. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Kai Heuangpraseuth runs past Hope Stars on his way into the temporary site for Plaza Towers Elementary school in Moore, Okla., Tuesday, May 20, 2014, one year after the May 20, 2013 tornado destroyed Plaza Towers school, leaving Heuangpraseuth and other third graders trapped in the rubble. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Across an Oklahoma community devastated by a monster tornado a year ago, people are marking the anniversary with low-key gatherings remembering what was lost and looking toward the future.

After the storm in Moore that killed two dozen people — including seven children at a school — residents and first responders watched the groundbreaking Tuesday on a hospital to replace one destroyed by the storm. Children walked to a new elementary school building for a picnic on the site where their school once stood.

Mayor Glenn Lewis spoke at the groundbreaking even as strong winds blew, acknowledging the likelihood of more storms and encouraging people to educate their children about storms and build safe rooms. City Councilman Mark Hamm also pointed to new parks as signs of the town's recovery.