On the long road to recovery – people facing an uncertain future in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) – The road to recovery has begun for some people who were hit by a severe storm in Butler County.

Many people are getting fallen trees removed and working with their insurance companies – they told FOX23, their future is yet to be determined.

People shared their storm stories with FOX23 as they look to rebuild.

Shady Lane just off of Baron Road was hit particularly hard. The power of the storm is seen in gaping holes of homes that were hit by fallen trees. At the end of the street, several trees were blown over in Julie Burnett’s backyard.

Burnett said she took shelter in her daughter’s basement on Friday night while her husband chose to stay home.

According to her, he was in bed when the tornado hit, and an oak tree fell on the back of the house – landing across him in the bed.

“He has a scratch on his foot and a bump on his head,” she said, “and other than that, he’s good. He shimmied out from underneath it and crawled out of the bedroom. And he’s – he’s okay.”

Burnett said they’re staying with family for the time being.

“They lifted off the tree with a crane this morning, and we’re just waiting on insurance adjusters to come and see what the process will be and what our future holds – whether we will repair what’s here or need to rebuild,” she said.

A few blocks away Colleen Kartchner’s house was spared from the storm, but having lived through the EF 5 tornado in Joplin, this storm has brought back memories and emotions from the past.

She said going out and helping her neighbors has been a therapeutic experience for her. She said it’s hard work but going out in groups of community members to help clean up was a lot of fun.

“It creates such a spirit of community,” Kartchner said, “just a beautiful experience when people pull together like that.”

Her best advice – pace yourself.

“The Joplin tornado was years of recovery. So, it’s not a quick fix and you have to kind of go at it a little bit at a time. It’s like eating an elephant,” she said.

Both Kartchner and Burnett said it’s been amazing to see the community come together – people marching up and down the streets with food, water, tarps and offering help wherever needed.