One Year Later, Recovery Continues

  • The Shawnee Regional Airport terminal still stands in shambles almost a year after the April 19, 2023 tornado. Its demolition was approved at the last Shawnee City Council meeting. Several hangars and airplanes were also damaged. Distributions for repairs from insurance and FEMA are slowly trickling in, said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and Assistant City Manager Danny Vise.
    The Shawnee Regional Airport terminal still stands in shambles almost a year after the April 19, 2023 tornado. Its demolition was approved at the last Shawnee City Council meeting. Several hangars and airplanes were also damaged. Distributions for repairs from insurance and FEMA are slowly trickling in, said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and Assistant City Manager Danny Vise.
  • Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer & Shawnee Assistant City Manager Danny Vise
    Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer & Shawnee Assistant City Manager Danny Vise
  • Raley’s Chapel still has scaffolding and is fenced off for repairs almost a year after the tornado went through Shawnee. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
    Raley’s Chapel still has scaffolding and is fenced off for repairs almost a year after the tornado went through Shawnee. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
  • Stubblefield Chapel, on the OBU campus, still needs roof and window repair since the April 19, 2023 tornado. It also lost its steeple. According to the Wikimedia Commons website, the church was built in 1895 and was moved to this location in 1963. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
    Stubblefield Chapel, on the OBU campus, still needs roof and window repair since the April 19, 2023 tornado. It also lost its steeple. According to the Wikimedia Commons website, the church was built in 1895 and was moved to this location in 1963. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
  • American Legion Post #16 will have power restored and new doors in a couple weeks, said Post Adjutant Richard Filbert. They hope to be open in the first week of May and are planning a grand opening, he said. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
    American Legion Post #16 will have power restored and new doors in a couple weeks, said Post Adjutant Richard Filbert. They hope to be open in the first week of May and are planning a grand opening, he said. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
  • Eric's Pharmacy has finally been able to move back into their Kickapoo location after their building had to be renovated due to water damage and mold from the April 19, 2023 tornado. Pharmacist Jathan Coburn said they may keep their temporary Harrison location open, since customers have commented that they liked it. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
    Eric's Pharmacy has finally been able to move back into their Kickapoo location after their building had to be renovated due to water damage and mold from the April 19, 2023 tornado. Pharmacist Jathan Coburn said they may keep their temporary Harrison location open, since customers have commented that they liked it. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
  • After their original brick signs at the western and southern entrances were destroyed by the April 19, 2023 tornado, the Shawnee Mall has a big new sign, which lists a few new businesses that opened in the past year. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
    After their original brick signs at the western and southern entrances were destroyed by the April 19, 2023 tornado, the Shawnee Mall has a big new sign, which lists a few new businesses that opened in the past year. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
As of tomorrow, April 19, Shawnee has been healing from its tornado wounds for one year. Some of them have completely healed, and some are still waiting.One of the biggest wounds that the City of Shawnee has been working on is the Shawnee Regional Airport.It was reported in the March 21 issue of the Countywide & Sun that the Shawnee City Council approved the demolition of the terminal…

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