EARLE, AR- May 2, 2009, marks the one year anniversary of the tornado that ripped through Crittenden County, Arkansas.
The storm destroyed more than 50 homes and buildings and damaged more than 100 others in Crittenden County, including several school buildings and a church in Earle, Arkansas. Classes were cancelled for a week until the buildings could get repaired.
Earle Elementary School cafeteria worker Kathy Brown says the tornado touched down minutes after children got out of school.
"It got quiet real quiet and then it sounded like a train. Stuff got to flying up there. That trampoline came from that yard there and there were pieces of car rims everywhere."
A concrete building, formerly known as the "Garden Club", is now abandoned next to the high school football stadium.
The last year has given neighbors time to reflect, but driving by homes like these puts it all in perspective.
"We just blessed to be here. It could have done the whole town in and we are lucky in spite of it all," says Morris.
The National Weather Service confirmed ten tornadoes hit Arkansas on Friday, May 2, 2008. Seven people were killed across the state and about 400 homes were damaged or destroyed in the storms.
